BRITONS spend £15m a year on treatments like massage, reflexology and acupuncture - for their pets.

But Holmfirth woman Alex Chaloner doesn't have to reach into her pocket to treat her two cats with complementary medicine.

That's because she's trained in the ancient Japanese healing system of reiki.

She uses it to relieve feline stress by putting her hands above their seven 'crowns', including the head and throat.

She then transfers positive energy from her body to the cat's.

"Benson and Bruce enjoy reiki, it helps us to bond," said Alex.

The 34-year-old has used it to ease stress after her cats have been chased by dogs or when they are otherwise stressed.

"You see the patient as a whole, so the way they think effects the way they feel," she said.

Two years ago Alex also used reiki on her sister Sarah's horse, Star, who had grown depressed with age.

She said: "She was getting on a bit and finding life a bit tough.

"She was unwilling to be an old lady. After the treatment she relaxed more."

But Alex, who owns Healing Hands, a complementary medicine business in Moldgreen, only performs reiki professionally on humans.

Alex , who has run the business for the past three years, sees treatments such as hypnotherapy as complements, rather than alternatives, to traditional medicine.

She said: "I would always recommend that people go to a doctor first.

"If you have a bad back, I can help relieve the pain. But if you've broken your leg you need to go to hospital."