By Emily Golesh ’07

All conversations with Charlott Motter start the same way—small talk about life, the weather, sometimes frozen lasagna, and then the education begins.

While Charlott considers healing her hobby, it seems more like a career. And one that almost didn’t happen at all!

After a number of jobs after her graduation from Ship in 1951, Charlott, from Adams County, taught elementary school in Maryland, worked at hotels catering to the political elite in Washington D.C., and ended up in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Of her move to New Mexico, Charlott says she was “sucked in” on a land deal. She spent fourteen years working for the New Mexico Telephone Company and noticed increasing aches and pains including problems with her eyes. One day while shopping, a woman, claiming to be a professional in a healing technique called Reiki, handed Charlott a flyer and insisted she receive a treatment.

Skeptical and hesitant, but too curious to say no, Charlott was disappointed through part of the treatment. She expected more and began to think she would be leaving feeling no different than when she arrived. As the attunement came to an end, Charlott remembers feeling a sensation running through her body, her aches and pains vanished, and the thought entered her mind that perhaps she had been drugged!

This positive experience inspired Charlott to study the Japanese art of channeling energy and other alternative healing modalities. This knowledge, in turn, led to allowing her to do what she wanted most in life—help others.

In addition to treating clients (human and animal) with ailments ranging from cancer to arthritis, Charlott also provides Reiki training and certification. She does not advertise her services, relying on client satisfaction to spread the word. Her strong belief inspires her and those she treats to experience positive effects. Generous with her time and talents, Charlott has also produced videos and published works about the healing arts including the book, Reiki – A Healing Art? Yes!.

Last year, the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research honored Charlott with a Benefactor Certificate for her contribution to medical progress.

Charlott and her dogs inspired two books, Poca, a work of fiction, and Star, Sky, Alexandra, and Majesty that details doggie success stories.

She lives what she believes and stands strong in her convictions.

Emily, summer intern for the magazine, is an English major and will graduate in December.