Meet Barbara Techel | Author, Oracle Card Reader, and Animal Wisdom Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Barbara Techel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Barbara, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by animals, nature and all things mystical. Animals, and dogs, in particular, have been some of my greatest teachers. Because of the lessons I learned from each of the five dogs I’ve had the honor to share my life with, three of which were special needs dachshunds, I grew in ways I never could have imagined.

My dog companions, along with other animals in the wild, helped me to shed layers of myself that were necessary in order to evolve to not only understand myself on a deeper and more compassionate level, but to deepen my empathy for those struggling around me. We all have wounds, many of which we work hard to keep hidden or our subconscious has buried them. But it’s been my animal friends that gave me the courage to heal trauma from childhood and then experience a newfound freedom because of the inner work I did.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Woven into all that I do, from healing arts, to writing, to creating mixed media is my love of animals.

It began when I was in my early 40s and I didn’t know what I wanted for my life. This led me to working with a life coach and I’d decide to pursue becoming a writer. For two years I wrote a column for our local newspaper about my favorite subject, animals.

In 2006, when my first dachshund, Frankie, became paralyzed and was custom fitted for a dog wheelchair, I realized I had a beautiful opportunity to help educate adults and children about the fact that dogs can live a quality life even if in a wheelchair. That led me to writing two children’s books about Frankie (the walk n’ roll dog) and visiting over 400 schools and libraries with Frankie, while also becoming a therapy dog team and visiting a local hospital, hospice, and an assisted living facility.

After Frankie passed, I’d go on to write a memoir about our journey together. I then adopted another special needs dachshund, Joie, and eventually wrote my second memoir about what I’d learned from her, which was all about learning to value how important it is to pause in ones life at different junctures along the way.

My last dachshund, Gidget, would ultimately serve me in a pretty profound way to help me heal a childhood trauma I’d kept suppressed for 55 years. That story would become my third memoir, which then led me to become an intuitive oracle reader for pets and their people, and for people who are feeling stuck and ready to get to the root of what is holding them back.

I’m currently in the process of creating my own animal-themed cards called, “Animal Reflections Oracle Deck.”

There have been many challenges along the way, but it’s honestly been the dogs, and other animals in the wild, who continued to reflect for me those things I needed to heal within myself. Each time I work on what needs healing and doing that important inner work, it has helped me to navigate the course of my life with more ease.

If there is one thing I’d love the world to know is that I believe at my core that animals are here on this planet walking beside us in unconditional love, serving as a reflection for what we need to heal, and they do it with the utmost of compassion.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I feel blessed to live in a quaint village called Elkhart Lake, Population is approximately 950 residents but can swell to over 10,000 during the summer months as we are known for the Road America Race Track.

We’d begin by having a cup of tea and some homemade muffins and fresh fruit in my 10 x 12 olive green studio that sits off one corner of my deck that my husband lovingly built for me over ten years ago. With six windows to let in plenty of light and trees that surround my quiet space that has supported my dreams of writing, consulting, and creating art, I call it Joyful Pause Cottage.

During the week we’d be sure to visit many of the darling shops in our town from Nordic Accents, Gina’s Fine Gifts and Framing, and Two Fish Gallery.

We’d lunch at Off the Rail located inside an old feed mill. Dinner out in Elkhart Lake would be at least twice that week as we have so many delicious restaurants to choose from including, Paddock Club, Lake Street Cafe, Brown Baer, and Route 67.

One day’s adventure would be to Sheboygan county – about a half hour trip – to visit Bookworm Gardens where my dog, Frankie, has a statue and presence there and continues to inspire the many children and adults that visit the beautiful grounds with many wonderful children’s books themed gardens.

For a casual day we’d be sure to walk around the village and/or the lake as both venues would provide plenty of scenery to please the eyes and warm the heart.

To end the week we’d be sure to visit our Farmer’s and Artisans Market that is held every Saturday in the town square along the railroad tracks. People come from all over to our eclectic market!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The saying, “It takes a village” comes to mind trying to answer this question! I’ve been blessed with so many who have been part of my journey. I can’t just mention one person (or sentient being!) so will first say a shoutout to the dogs I’ve shared my life with that have changed and helped shape me in some pretty profound ways. Certainly not in any order, but I’d next give a shoutout to my dear husband, John, who has stood by me even when he didn’t understand the changes I was going through. He truly is my rock and supports me in countless ways. And even though I may be 59 years old, it’s my mom who has been my biggest cheerleader, and her unconditional and steadfast love has encouraged me to keep spreading my wings.

Website: www.joyfulpaws.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/barbtechel

Twitter: www.twitter.com/joyfulpaws

Facebook: www.facebook.com/joyfulpaws

Youtube: www.youtube.com/barbaratechel

Image Credits
Lisa A. Lehmann