Lady from New Zealand talks with the animals and walks with the worms

For a joke, Faye Rogers' friends call her Dr Dolittle. However, the Weedons woman calls herself an "animal communicator". She says she can talk to anything – from worms to horses. Much like a horse whisperer, Rogers says she tunes into animals' thoughts to give owners an insight into their pets' health and behaviour. Rogers says she understands some people are sceptical, but they become convinced after she provides personal information only they could know.

She says all beings are "connected by a higher consciousness". This way, animals are able to send information to each other despite geographical distance. For example, birds may pass international information to fish. Rogers says she has been "advised" of impending disasters such as the Victoria bushfires and earthquakes in Haiti and China. "But it's not my place to stop it," she says. "Who am I to just ring China?"



She says animals have told her about global environmental concerns. Rogers says she receives information through words, emotions and visual pictures. Contrary to the accusation by horse whisperer Bill Northern that cats are "liars", Rogers says they appear wily because they must be asked specific questions. Dogs and horses are "direct", and birds are "busy and purposeful". "Cats play with mice because they are giving them respect. It's actually giving them a second chance or time to get away. It's just that humans don't see it like that.

"Farmed animals are happy to be farmed as long as they are treated well. They don't mind because they know they are part of the food chain." A cat recently advised her it had a thyroid problem and a neighbourhood staffordshire terrier correctly complained of having a fracture in its spine when its owners believed the problem was a sore leg. Rogers started speaking to animals to help friends, but began charging for it about six years ago. The price is $65 an hour.