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Summary: A Profound Message - in a time of need !
Review: A friend sent me this book -- trying to comfort me after the death of my incredible 17-year old golden retriever, Sheba. The message is just what I needed now and I read every word. When others think grief over the loss of a "pet" is a little trivial -- the message of the book says otherwise! Sheba was lucky to have a vet who thinks along the same lines as Dr. Schoen -- and my only hope is that there are many many more kindred vets out there.
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Summary: Someone Finally Said It !
Review: After reading only the first few chapters of this book, I was passing it on to others to read. I found myself quoting it to those around me. I have felt for a long time that I was one among only a few who made such connections to animals. I can't believe someone else could really understand that side of me. I would recamend this book to anyone who feels a bond between themselves and the others who share this planet with us. It is not a bad choice if your trying to persuade others as well to share in your view. I can't wait for another book from this author!
Rating:
Summary: Someone Finally Said It !
Review: After reading only the first few chapters of this book, I was passing it on to others to read. I found myself quoting it to those around me. I have felt for a long time that I was one among only a few who made such connections to animals. I can't believe someone else could really understand that side of me. I would recamend this book to anyone who feels a bond between themselves and the others who share this planet with us. It is not a bad choice if your trying to persuade others as well to share in your view. I can't wait for another book from this author!
Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring stories
Review: After reading this book and the unbelievable effects that Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Homeopathy use has on our beloved pets, I started taking my 7 1/2 yr. old Rottie to Acupunture sessions. His whole attitude about life is better thanks to this book and acupuncture! There are stories that will make you shake your head in amazement or make you cry. I highly recommend this to all animal lovers!
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring stories
Review: After reading this book and the unbelievable effects that Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Homeopathy use has on our beloved pets, I started taking my 7 1/2 yr. old Rottie to Acupunture sessions. His whole attitude about life is better thanks to this book and acupuncture! There are stories that will make you shake your head in amazement or make you cry. I highly recommend this to all animal lovers!
Rating:
Summary: A Phenomenal Perspective
Review: All the other rave reviews are true - you can see that this book has struck a tremendous chord in readers for its humor and perspective on the animal/human bond. I would like to point out that Dr. Schoen does have a very holistic approach to veterinary medicine, having succesfully utilized both traditional and alternative methods of treatment. While other volumes exist on homeopathy, acupuncture, and herbal treatment for animals, this book might be useful in terms of how the author came to use those treatments and his ideas on how they make work in the bodies of our animal companions. Also of interest for the reader is the author's intense self-reflection on the human history of attitudes towards animals throughout time. I thought Dr. Schoen did an excellent job explaining the many paradigms that have existed throughout time (largely centering around human dominion over the animals, how many have believed they have no emotions in order to justify atrocities, etc.) and how we live with those schools of thought today in terms of our laws surrounding animals as well as the prominent methods of treatment of animals both in the home and on the farm. His having to exhaustively fight/acquiese to dominant theory during his veterinary training and early practice is an interesting sociological anectdote. This book is not only a well-written, feel good volume of one man's journey in life treating and living with animals, but also exists as a thought provoking volume questioning our societal attitudes towards animals.
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Summary: Thoughts of a soulful caregiver
Review: Allen Schoen is a kind and compassionate veterinarian who from childhood has felt an intense bond with animals, and a mission to heal them. He is interested in service and sprituality, and is also a clear thinker. One of the best things about this book is that Schoen has a real, live, active veterinary practice, large and small animals, and shares it with the reader. Beneath his sweet and tender heart and soulful approach is sheer bedrock: the fact that he has (for example) gone out in the middle of a freezing cold night to drive miles to a barn, scrubbed, put on gloves, hunkered down in straw, and reached into a laboring animal in critical trouble - to aid in a birth. You are reading a man who walks the walk. His redoubtable philosophy is grounded in his career. In vet school Schoen met with resistance to many of his convictions regarding the humane treatment of lab animals. As a practicing veterinarian, he bumped into similar resistance regarding humane treatment of livestock in particular. He shares generously - and without prejudice. Sometimes things don't always turn out in agreement with his beliefs, and he writes of them, too. In this engaging book Dr. Schoen treats the reader to contemporary American versions of James Herriot-style adventures (heart-stopping rescues, birthing stories, and a tale about a dachshund-owning woman who ended up presenting what Schoen, in a great play on words, calls "Munchhausen by Dachsie") - with a generous helping of intelligent contributions on topics ranging from the increase of food allergies in animals; disorders of the immune system; how to "think like an animal"; cancer; aging and ailing, and the role of love, touching, meditation, and mindfulness in humans' best efforts to facilitate healing in their animals. Finally, he offers good advice on what to do when no more can be done. This book has much to offer readers interested in bettering the lives of their animals. I would add that some, if not many, of Schoen's opinions regarding animal consciousness and the 'rightness' of humane treatment of animals are much more widely accepted today than when Schoen entered veterinary school. This book is valuable for its message of connectedness, hopefulness, and love. To that end it joins a number of other voices who have also called for those virtues. Dr. Schoen's obvious wealth of clinical experience contributes considerable muscle to this worthwhile book.
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Summary: Dubious information, egotistical tone
Review: Dr. Schoen never met a form of "alternative" therapy that he didn't like. I'm all in favor of keeping an open mind and exploring non-traditional forms of healing. On the other hand, I think that your mind shouldn't be so open that your brain falls out. Extraordinary claims should require extraordinary evidence. Just once, I'd like to hear Dr. Schoen say, "This form of therapy is complete clap-trap. I don't think it works, and it might even be harmful". Instead, Dr. Schoen embraces everything from acupuncture, to Chinese herbs, and all things in between. And on top of that, the author's tone is one of self-aggrandizement and condescension toward his "less-enlightened" colleagues. I'm a life-long animal lover and pet owner. I volunteer at the local animal shelter. I really disliked this book.
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Summary: The Question Is: So What's New Here?
Review: Geez, it's been done a ba-jillion times already, hasn't it? Animals as healers, teachers, guides, yadda yadda yadda. Well, what's different here is that the author has some authority, being a DVM. Besides some rather heart-warming tales, which we would hope for in a book like this, Dr. Schoen offers a great deal of doctorly advice, but from the fresh perspective of someone who has been somewhat liberated from the strictly allopathic (or whatever it's called in animal medicine) view of drugs and surgery as the cure for everything. The author has hands-on experience with animal acupuncture, as well as alternative modalities such as herbs, nutrition and homeopathy. He also instructs the layperson how to perform a general physical exam, how to handle issues like old age, serious diseases and ultimately death with the proper dignity and perspective deserving of a furry family member. It all boils down to how you feel about animals, I guess. My black lab Sugar Bear is my constant companion and has been since puppyhood, so I hung on every word. And yes, sometimes the best way to be a healer for your animal is to take them to a good vet!
Rating:
Summary: The Question Is: So What's New Here?
Review: Geez, it's been done a ba-jillion times already, hasn't it? Animals as healers, teachers, guides, yadda yadda yadda. Well, what's different here is that the author has some authority, being a DVM. Besides some rather heart-warming tales, which we would hope for in a book like this, Dr. Schoen offers a great deal of doctorly advice, but from the fresh perspective of someone who has been somewhat liberated from the strictly allopathic (or whatever it's called in animal medicine) view of drugs and surgery as the cure for everything. The author has hands-on experience with animal acupuncture, as well as alternative modalities such as herbs, nutrition and homeopathy. He also instructs the layperson how to perform a general physical exam, how to handle issues like old age, serious diseases and ultimately death with the proper dignity and perspective deserving of a furry family member. It all boils down to how you feel about animals, I guess. My black lab Sugar Bear is my constant companion and has been since puppyhood, so I hung on every word. And yes, sometimes the best way to be a healer for your animal is to take them to a good vet!
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