Petaluma’s ‘Fairy Godmother’ gives back

Wendy Zeigler wears many hats in her day-to-day life in Petaluma - pet communicator, Reiki healer, musician, author, teacher, artist - but her current favorite title, she says, is “Fairy Godmother of the Neighborhood,” bestowed upon her because of her passion for reaching out to help others.

Her artistic journey began at age 2 when, growing up in a household headed by her nationally famous guitarist father and model mother, young Zeigler “made art out of anything I could get my hands on,” she said. It was her grandfather who first made her aware of how animals communicate.

“He had cats and he taught me about wild birds,” Zeigler remembered.

She began following Native American lore as a child.

“When I began to read about animals, they would find me, or I would find them,” she said.

She decided to take three Reiki master training degree classes and studied animal communication with Sonoma County Humane Society trainer Marta Williams and Lydia Hiby in the 1990s.

“Grandpa taught me at a young age that I had the ability and I wanted to pursue it further,” Zeigler said.

She said that she’s been creating and teaching art to children since she was very young.

“I started Wendy Z’s creative recycling when I was in my 20’s and still have a passion to teach families how to reuse, repurpose and recycle,” she said. “This evolved into my two art lessons with preschoolers, which I expanded into a licensed child care facility where I emphasized art, music and nature. I’ve even taught classes for Boys and Girls Clubs.”

As a singer-songwriter, she’s written hundreds of songs, many for children.

“I’m known for my cat songs too, particularly ‘Do The Mushy Bread’ and ‘No One Knows But Me,’?” she said.

She is also one of 31 authors who contributed to the book “Living With Grief” by David Pierce. Zeigler was impressed with Pierce’s work.

“I offered the art on the cover because I felt he was giving such good work to the world. I have done tribute and all my work on this project is very fulfilling for me,” she said.

Sometimes those who help others are themselves in need of help, and Zeigler found herself in this position in 2014, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I committed to self-healing by using an integrated, 360-degree approach which includes diet, herbs, tinctures, oils and supplements. I am healing and I want to be called Walking Lady,” she said.

A friend started an Internet-based fundraising effort for Zeigler and her friends, clients and neighbors rallied around to help her during the toughest times.

Zeigler embodies the powers of love and communication.

“I believe that we are never alone and if we connect with the divine source, we are guided to our highest good,” she said. “We are here to help each other.” (Contact Lynn Schnitzer at argus@arguscourier.com)