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What Pets Can Do: Health and Healing

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Sep 15, 2017

I was visiting a community hospital recently, waiting in line for a coffee. Across the lobby was a large, beautiful dog. As visitors and patients stopped to pet the dog and talk with the owner, you could literally see how their faces lit up with smiles and their bodies relaxed.

In the week leading up to exams at my daughter's school, they bring in therapy dogs for the students to interact with. It helps reduce anxiety at a very stressful time for students. For many people, animals provide countless health benefits.

Cats, dogs, birds, fish, hamsters: How have animals comforted you, helped with recovery or promoted good health for you?

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danybegood1 | @danybegood1 | Sep 16, 2017

@jimhd ,@contentandwell, Everyone's stories are so sweet, I love reading them. What would life be like without a dog? Love, Judy

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 16, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "@jimhd, @hazelblumberg, @marylou705, @artscaping, @contentandwell, @gailfaith, @gailg, @magspierce, @artscaping, @v1crew: in various discussions on Connect, you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@jimhd, @hazelblumberg, @marylou705, @artscaping, @contentandwell, @gailfaith, @gailg, @magspierce, @artscaping, @v1crew: in various discussions on Connect, you have mentioned the health and therapy benefits animals have had for you. I invite you to share stories and pictures about your experiences where pets have comforted, how you've trained your companions for specific therapeutic roles, and so much more. What special story do you have to share?

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JK, @contentandwell

If I were you, I'd keep hubby and forget the dog!

Teresa

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 16, 2017

Colleen @colleenyoung and others

At Henry Ford Hospital, they have a therapy dog as well who roams the hospital (with a handler) greeting people and allowing patients and visitors to pet him. His name is Henry (of course) and I always look forward to seeing him! He really is a great therapist!

Teresa

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marylou705 | @marylou705 | Sep 16, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "@jimhd, @hazelblumberg, @marylou705, @artscaping, @contentandwell, @gailfaith, @gailg, @magspierce, @artscaping, @v1crew: in various discussions on Connect, you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@jimhd, @hazelblumberg, @marylou705, @artscaping, @contentandwell, @gailfaith, @gailg, @magspierce, @artscaping, @v1crew: in various discussions on Connect, you have mentioned the health and therapy benefits animals have had for you. I invite you to share stories and pictures about your experiences where pets have comforted, how you've trained your companions for specific therapeutic roles, and so much more. What special story do you have to share?

Jump to this post

We have rescue cats, tho I grew up with a myriad of pets. Two of mine have a limb missing, one is 18, one has lymphoma, and one has IBD! It is such a joy to me to cater to their special needs, and they give love back in spades. Did you know that the frequency of a cats purr is healing? Both to the cat and to the doting owner?
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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 16, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "@jimhd, @hazelblumberg, @marylou705, @artscaping, @contentandwell, @gailfaith, @gailg, @magspierce, @artscaping, @v1crew: in various discussions on Connect, you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@jimhd, @hazelblumberg, @marylou705, @artscaping, @contentandwell, @gailfaith, @gailg, @magspierce, @artscaping, @v1crew: in various discussions on Connect, you have mentioned the health and therapy benefits animals have had for you. I invite you to share stories and pictures about your experiences where pets have comforted, how you've trained your companions for specific therapeutic roles, and so much more. What special story do you have to share?

Jump to this post

@marylou705
I did not know about the purring and healing connection - but I certainly believe it's true! Great picture

Teresa

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JK | @contentandwell | Sep 16, 2017
In reply to @danybegood1 "@contentandwell, Hi y'all, Judy here, I saw your conversation. If you want a pet I will..." + (show)
@danybegood1

@contentandwell, Hi y'all, Judy here, I saw your conversation. If you want a pet I will tell you what I did. I'm not saying it's right, just sayin...My husband also (last husband), did not want a pet, and he was pretty adamant. I had always wanted a Golden Retriever, so one day at Christmas, the kids and I piled into the car and drove to Tacoma to find Gillians' Maggie May. She was the only little girl available but I loved her at first sight.
She was already 3 months old, and it seemed like people were choosing other dogs over her. Their loss, our gain. Anyway, my husband was in the living room when we walked in. He set his mouth in a line of disapproval and stalked into the bedroom. He said, "why did you do that"? "I really wanted a Golden". I asked him, "what if I was dying, then could I have a dog"? "Well sure", he replied. I said, "well, why do I have to be dying to have something to enjoy and love, like a dog"? He had no answers for me. Maggie became a daddy's girl and was a complete joy to be around. She was the first one out of the house to bring in the groceries. If, while she was outside, she needed to go pee, she would walk away from the grocery bag about 15-20ft, go pee, and go back for the bag. She also brought in the mail, tied up in a plastic bag of course. She was a wonder to behold, and I was never sorry that I went and got her, no, not one day. If you ever can't decide over a dog to choose, Goldens are great. They already know how to smile. That's what I did. Love you all, Judy.

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@danybegood1 Dany, I know my husband and he would not deal well with that. To him that would be me saying his feelings do not matter. I would not do that. My daughter actually wanted to get me a pet for Christmas one time, figuring that he couldn't not let me keep it but I told her that it would only cause problems and not to.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Sep 16, 2017
In reply to @danybegood1 "@contentandwell , I can't forget about Harley, my baby. I got him as Maggie was dying..." + (show)
@danybegood1

@contentandwell , I can't forget about Harley, my baby. I got him as Maggie was dying of cancer. Bad times. Anyway, at the time I didn't know I would be having even worse times ahead. Some day I will try to explain why. I was experiencing a great deal of fear. I expected either myself, or my kids, to be attacked at any moment. If I hadn't had Harley, things would have been so much worse for me. He kept me sane. He has been with me almost 24/7. What will I do when he passes? After I cry, if I'm able, I will adopt another dog that needs me. Guys, there are millions out there who need us.
Judy

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@danybegood1 It's not easy when you lose a beloved pet. We had to put ours down and that was one of the most difficult things I ever did. He was such a special dog. We got him for my daughter and she and I, after poring through baby name books, named him Keller which is Gaelic for "little companion" which was perfect for him.
JK

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JK | @contentandwell | Sep 16, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "@jimhd, @hazelblumberg, @marylou705, @artscaping, @contentandwell, @gailfaith, @gailg, @magspierce, @artscaping, @v1crew: in various discussions on Connect, you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@jimhd, @hazelblumberg, @marylou705, @artscaping, @contentandwell, @gailfaith, @gailg, @magspierce, @artscaping, @v1crew: in various discussions on Connect, you have mentioned the health and therapy benefits animals have had for you. I invite you to share stories and pictures about your experiences where pets have comforted, how you've trained your companions for specific therapeutic roles, and so much more. What special story do you have to share?

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 Yep, that's what I am doing. Sometimes I try to see if I can convince him but he took a good part of caring for our dog and he does not want that again, plus having a pet does impact traveling, not that we travel that frequently.
This is a picture of him when he was a puppy, at our lake cabin with our son who was about 12 at the time.
JK
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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Sep 17, 2017
In reply to @danybegood1 "@contentandwell , I can't forget about Harley, my baby. I got him as Maggie was dying..." + (show)
@danybegood1

@contentandwell , I can't forget about Harley, my baby. I got him as Maggie was dying of cancer. Bad times. Anyway, at the time I didn't know I would be having even worse times ahead. Some day I will try to explain why. I was experiencing a great deal of fear. I expected either myself, or my kids, to be attacked at any moment. If I hadn't had Harley, things would have been so much worse for me. He kept me sane. He has been with me almost 24/7. What will I do when he passes? After I cry, if I'm able, I will adopt another dog that needs me. Guys, there are millions out there who need us.
Judy

Jump to this post

@contentandwell

I'm glad to hear from someone who values their marriage relationship. A lot of people would get the dog and tell their partner to deal with it. I understand that there are situations when the love of a pet would be a much better alternative to the brokenness of a marriage. I'm with you on this one. Maybe a nice stuffed animal would be a helpful compromise. They don't bark, have accidents, don't chew up your brand new shoes, or make demands on your time or budget.

Jim

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danybegood1 | @danybegood1 | Sep 17, 2017

@contentandwell @jimhd , Hi guys, I'm so sorry you can't get a dog. I took a chance when I got Maggie that's for sure. But this was after watching my husband befriend and grab every kitten my daughter ever brought home. I guess I'm a dog person at heart. I figured it was my turn for me and my very own Golden. I didn't feel I was risking this marriage too much. Love to you all, Judy

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