Comments on: The Healing Power of Animals – Pet Travel Tuesday

By: Roberta

Roberta — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 22:33:48 +0000

Animals let us relax – we can be who we are, not who we are expected to be. Therapy horsemanship helps gently loosen ligaments and joints held tight by disease; therapy dogs give release to those who have lost so much control over their lives – but they remember their dogs…and love to share about them. Animals don’t tell us what to do, eat, when to bathe and turn in bed…they let us be us.

By: Greyhounds CAN Sit

Greyhounds CAN Sit — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 10:41:54 +0000

There have been many reports of children who can’t/won’t talk to adults being able to talk to pets. I think this is one of the most wonderful example of how animals can help by just ‘being’.

By: houndstooth

houndstooth — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 01:25:20 +0000

Well, Bunny and I just officially became hospice volunteers, and we’ve been visiting nursing homes together for quite a while. I would definitely say that animals have healing powers, if for no other reason than because our bodies react positively when we’re in the presence of animals. I’ve seen people smile or talk at the nursing home many times, only to be told by a nurse that it was the first time they’d seen that person seem happy. I don’t discount it at all, and actually, I think if our society became more inclusive of pets the way they are in Europe, we might be more relaxed all around.

By: Jennifer Mielziner

Jennifer Mielziner — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 18:46:46 +0000

I know for a fact, my horse saved my life when I was 12 years old. I was in a “point to point” horse race. As we turned the corner, there was a 5 foot jump. I knew my horse, Maui, would take it easily, which she did, but somehow, I didn’t and fell on the other side of the jump. When the other riders appeared, Maui was standing right next to me. Attempts to shoo her away wouldn’t work. Finally, one of the riders dismounted, climbed over the fence to lead Maui away, which she objected to, but walked away with him. The others riders saw Maui was riderless, another rider dismounted and found me on the other side of the fence. Had any other rider taken that jump, their horse would have landed right on top of me. Maui and I were insuperable. More often than not, we rode together with no tack. Didn’t need it. I often slept in her stall with her. She is missed, but always with me JM

By: Movie Review: The Horse Boy (Mongolia)

Movie Review: The Horse Boy (Mongolia) — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 14:38:48 +0000

[…] Note: See Pam’s Companion article on the healing powers of animals at Something Wagging This Way […]

By: Vlad & Barkly's Dee

Vlad & Barkly's Dee — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 05:47:01 +0000

Why do we think that is? It is simply because pets relieve stress. It’s proven that stress worsens any illness–or is often so bad that it opens a body up to illness. Once stress is relieved, it opens the body up to so many more possibilities–like health and healing.

By: Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom

Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:44:17 +0000

For me, at least, just being in the presence of a dog — whether my own, someone else’s, or a stray/shelter dog — makes me smile. And, if that dog is happy and playful so much the better! Nothing makes me laugh quite as much as a dog at play — and laughter is so good for the soul!