Is it a gift or can anyone do it?

i seem to be able to understand animals. most of the time, anyways. and most of the time, i can make them understand me...sometimes without even talking. i dont exactly mean telepathy either. at least, i dont "think" words at them. i do think feelings at them and sometimes pictures. i can tell when they dont feel well or are depressed, when other people think they are just fine...and most of the time i can tell what is causing them to be depressed. i once talked a cat out of a tree, and there were witnesses who saw the cat follow my every instruction as though he understood them. in the summer that i spent in yellowstone, i sat within touching distance of an elk in labour, until a woman walked up talking at the top of her voice caused the elk to get up and walk away. later i spent the day standing between a first time mother elk and her newborn calf and tourists...i started the day by stopping her charge on a group of them...she charged 29 times that day. but she would stop every time because i was alway there. i posed no threat to her. i always spoke soothingly to her and she would go back to her calf. i seem to communicate on a different level, not always vocal, with animals. but i think any person could do it to, if they really wanted to do it. i have always loved animals, and i have spent a lifetime observing them. learning how they communicate with each other and with us. i think if i can do it anyone else can. but people always tell me it is a gift. is it because they dont want to put out the time and effort or because they dont understand how to? or is it really a gift and not everyone can do it? what is your opinion?