Photo: Bill Northern gets chatty with Orana Wildlife Park's giraffes.

By Marc Greenhill

Bill Northern is world famous for water dowsing and animal communication, but he can't get people to sit next to him in church.

Mr Northern visited Orana Wildlife Park last week for an animal chat on his annual pilgrimage to New Zealand, and told the Northern Mail that scepticism goes with the territory in his craft.

He says people outside his circle of friends in his home town in Virginia try to avoid him because they think he is a witch.

"People are frightened by these things that I do."

The retired businessman only took up water dowsing, searching for water using a rod or pendulum, and animal communication in 1994, and admits it took a lot of practise and hard work to build up a reputation.

"No one took any notice of me for two to three years."

Mr Northern says he had a good following outside of the United States, but little recognition at home until 1997 when a newspaper article sparked interest and conjecture in his gift.

"Many people today still think it's impossible."

Now he has many clients who seek his services to communicate with their horses or dogs, the majority in the racing and equestrian industries.

His following extends all over the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and in parts of Europe and South America.

Mr Northern can communicate with up to 10 animals a day if they are present, but can also communicate with smaller numbers from a distance.

"It's very draining to do this. I can only work with a couple a day from a distance."

The key to communication is a swinging pendulum, which goes into "search position" back and forth.

Mr Northern's "angels" or "spirit guides" then communicate through the pendulum.

He says he can directly ask the animals any question, usually about their diet and any physical or emotional problems.

In last week's visit to Orana Wildlife Park, his second invitation from park bosses, Mr Northern communicated to the southern white rhinos, Rothchild's giraffe, and zebras.

The acid test is support from veterinarians, and Mr Northern says he can list more than 50 vets who recommend his services.

"It's hard for them to admit this, and I've taught some of them to do it as well."

He says anyone has the ability to communicate with animals.

"It's like playing a musical instrument. Some people can play a little, some just pick it up."

Mr Northern has taught more than 70 people in the South Island alone, most just for personal use with their animals.

"Most people don't tell anybody they do it - you get some strange looks from people."

More information on animal communication can be found on Mr Northern's website www.billnorthern.com.