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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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

JK | @contentandwell | Jul 15, 2019
In reply to @artscaping "@becsbuddy, JK, Oh, be still my heart. That picture is so adorable. I found a painting..." + (show)
@artscaping

@becsbuddy, JK, Oh, be still my heart. That picture is so adorable.

I found a painting of Roxie that caught one of my favorite Roxie looks.
It says.....Don't you know it's 5:00 pm? Where is my dinner? @johnbishop, can you make this image smaller. I can't even grab it.

My little Roxie used to like to lie on folks. I have just let my last Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross the rainbow bridge and fly with the angels. They are truly "Love Sponges". Oh, the joys and the memories. I don't trust myself physically to care for another Cavalier. And I don't want to leave one behind. Two of my three Cavaliers were therapy dogs in an Alzheimer's center where my father was housed.

Unbelievably, I am still grieving for Roxie. When I first wake up, I listen for her snoring at the foot of the bed. I am waiting for the day when the joyous memories of having Roxie will far outweigh the pain of losing her. It's not happening. Please be safe and protected from harm. Sleep well. Chris

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@artscaping They really are very special little companions, so loving. I still think of him a lot, and it was 2006 when I had to put him to sleep. My daughter was the person who wanted a dog so together we scoured breed books and decided on a Cavalier. She was in 5th grade at the time, my son was in 6th, so lots of kids in and out of the house. I wanted a very non-threatening dog and he surely was.
JK

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svo1 | @svo1 | Aug 5, 2019

I have a tendency to get anxious and overwhelmed when life throws alot my way. My husband and I have 2 dogs, a Maltipoo (Tucker) and a yorkie (Emmy). They are my little Angel's. Emmy is by my side all the time to comfort me. Tucker he left me hug on him when I feel the need. Animal therapy is amazing. I would be lost without my Fur babies

I have seen that dog's are being trained to treat PTSD.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 6, 2019

Hi Pet Lovers:

I just read this article from Mayo Clinic about pets being used in hospitals. Take a look at it and let me know if you have experienced pet therapy at a medical facility,
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/pet-therapy/art-20046342/?

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Sundance(RB) | @sundance6 | Dec 16, 2019

Thank You Colleen! Iwas going to ask you if something like a Pet Picture thread would be ok to start.
As soon as I figure out how to load a picture of mine I will start it again.
Blessings
Sundance(RB)

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 16, 2019
In reply to @sundance6 "Thank You Colleen! Iwas going to ask you if something like a Pet Picture thread would..." + (show)
@sundance6

Thank You Colleen! Iwas going to ask you if something like a Pet Picture thread would be ok to start.
As soon as I figure out how to load a picture of mine I will start it again.
Blessings
Sundance(RB)

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@sundance6- I have the same problem about loading photos- uploading or downloading all means the same to me. My gal Brandy left us two and 1/2 years ago. I've had many pets but she was special. She saw me through many cancers and treatments and knew just how to help me when I was ill. I should have shared her with others more than I did to help, like in retirement centers. She was a cross between a lab and pointer. I miss her every day.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 11, 2020

As we think about the healing powers of animals, I thought you might enjoy the movie, "A Street Cat Named Bob." It's based on a true story of an addict who is adopted by a cat (named Bob) and a story of the power of music and animals in the healing process. It is available live streaming on Amazon Prime (and perhaps other live streaming services). Also available as a book. Here is a link to the movie trailer,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDCMUCi8e0iOVk1fEOogdfu4YgfA&v=s13Fnj8LzD8&feature=emb_rel_end

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Apr 11, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "As we think about the healing powers of animals, I thought you might enjoy the movie,..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

As we think about the healing powers of animals, I thought you might enjoy the movie, "A Street Cat Named Bob." It's based on a true story of an addict who is adopted by a cat (named Bob) and a story of the power of music and animals in the healing process. It is available live streaming on Amazon Prime (and perhaps other live streaming services). Also available as a book. Here is a link to the movie trailer,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDCMUCi8e0iOVk1fEOogdfu4YgfA&v=s13Fnj8LzD8&feature=emb_rel_end

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@hopeful33520 Im making a list of movies Im going to watch This will be one today along with The Kings Speech

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 12, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@hopeful33520 Im making a list of movies Im going to watch This will be one today..." + (show)
@lioness

@hopeful33520 Im making a list of movies Im going to watch This will be one today along with The Kings Speech

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I always get the goose-bumps at the end of the King's Speech, @lioness!

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JK | @contentandwell | Apr 12, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@hopeful33520 Im making a list of movies Im going to watch This will be one today..." + (show)
@lioness

@hopeful33520 Im making a list of movies Im going to watch This will be one today along with The Kings Speech

Jump to this post

@lioness @hopeful33250 The King's Speech was really good, now that you mention it, I would like to see it again.
My daughter was writing for a blog in NYC when it came out as a preview for critics and she was invited to see it. Colin Firth and I think some other cast members were in the audience too. I think that was the best assignment she had while writing for that blog. She usually did restaurants and other lesser things. Of course getting a free meal when you review a restaurant isn't bad either. 😉
JK

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 16, 2020

Here's a story about the Peregrine Falcons at Mayo. Enjoy!

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