Rating: 
Summary: An Amazing Book
Review: I already love animals but I never knew exactly why until I read Dr. Schoen's wonderful, warm, and wise words. Extraordinarily well written, this book helps you understand why animals and humans belong together, forever, in ways that defy modern science. Please buy this book for everyone you know. It could change someone's life. As well as yours.
Rating:
Summary: Moving, Funny & Life Enhancing
Review: I always thought I had read everything I needed to know about the emotional lives of animals. I've read everything I could lay my hands on. This is the first book to cross my path that marries the two-way emotional relationship that we share to holistic veterinary care. Many great books on animals' lives give great detail into the many ways animals help their human companions but I had never realised that I wasn't being shown how I could return the favor.Dr Schoen's book is a doorway to understanding non-western medicine. I had felt that I was mentally open to medicines like Chinese herbal medicine, naturopathy & acupuncture but after reading this book I can now add Bach flower remedies, homeopathy, chiropratic and several other therapies. Not only am I now aware of how these therapies are used on animals but I now have faith in their efficacy. This book is not a 'how to' on holistic healing for animals, although Dr Schoen does provide a list of helpful books on the subject as well as details on how to locate a veterinary doctor who may practice holistically. This is, however, a book to touch your heart, offer hope & open your mind. I was moved to tears by both his stories & how his stories made me feel towards my own past & present animal companions. I take from this book many things that I will put into practice every day and I thank Dr Schoen for his beautiful book.
Rating: 
Summary: The Remarkable Bond Between the Author and Himself
Review: I am an animal lover and owner of three dogs. I also practice alternative medecine and my dogs are in my office with me. I received this book for my birthday and do not know what to say to the woman who gave it to me. I found it boring, repetitive and full of "aren't I wonderful" stories about the poor author struggling through vet school, tortuing animals and gee whiz not liking it, then, golly, figuring he was going to darn well do something about it. OK, he went to acupuncture school before a lot of others, but he is so pro acupuncture I find it tedious. He mentions other alternative therapies only briefly, and I could tell he was not well versed in them. He goes on and on ad infinitum about how other methods "work well in conjuntion with regular veterinary care". Well, isn't that rocket science? A poorly written, egocentric story about a vet and his "magic dog". Give me a break.
Rating:
Summary: Megan - proof again there is magic in Gold!
Review: I received this book from a friend that knows me well. The introductory synopsis of Dr. Schoen�s Golden Retriever Megan, who he describes as his assistant, nurse, and helpmate, will reach the soul of any animal lover. If you truly have had an animal companion as a soul mate this book will be one you will prize in your collection and it may add to your knowledge of how to be a better friend. Bless Men like Dr. Schoen for sharing their enlightenment and helping bring us all to a higher plane of existence.
Rating:
Summary: Megan - proof again there is magic in Gold!
Review: I received this book from a friend that knows me well. The introductory synopsis of Dr. Schoen's Golden Retriever Megan, who he describes as his assistant, nurse, and helpmate, will reach the soul of any animal lover. If you truly have had an animal companion as a soul mate this book will be one you will prize in your collection and it may add to your knowledge of how to be a better friend. Bless Men like Dr. Schoen for sharing their enlightenment and helping bring us all to a higher plane of existence.
Rating:
Summary: A thoughtful ramble through an enlightened vet's mind
Review: I wish Dr. Schoen (which means 'nice' in German) was my little collective's caretaker. He has alot of experience and openess to a wealth of traditional, reeeeeeally traditional, and non-traditional health information. I think this book serves as an excellent introduction to alternative approaches for a variety of human-animal exchanges. My pets (and when I use the term 'pet', I mean animal companion) and I are always looking for someone to tell us we're not crazy to understand each others' miscellaneous languages and other communications. Dr. Schoen, the nice vet, would understand. ;-)
Rating:
Summary: An extraordinary work -- highly recommended
Review: I'm touched by Dr.Shoen's book. I empathize with his deep caring and compassion for all living things and feel a stronger kinship or oneness with all life than ever before. If you've had animals in your life, you know how they add to the quality of your life and how you add to theirs. Dr. Schoen reinforces this quality through numerous real-life examples of the human-animal connection. (These examples are as special as any described in "Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul". He also illustrates how animals communicate with us and each other. For instance, he refers to the thought-provoking work of Rupert Sheldrake, who suggests that animals can communicate telepathically. (I invite you to read Sheldrake's book "How Dogs Know When Their Owners are Coming Home.) I am impressed by Dr. Schoen's broad medical experience and greatly appreciate the real-life examples that illustrate how he has integrated traditional and alternative therapies to treat animals holistically. Before reading his book, I didn't understand the possible uses of alternative therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, massage, herbal medicine (traditional and Chinese), nutrition, homeopathy, and gladular therapy. From the case studies in his book, now I have a much greater appreciation for these therapies and how I might use them for my pets as well as myself. Throughout his book, he refers to scientists and researchers who've contributed to our understanding of animals. And, at the end of the book, he helpfully includes a list of these resources so that you can read more about them. This book is written beautifully and sensitively. It is a magnificent contribution to our appreciation of animals and our understanding of how to care for them more compassionately and effectively.
Rating:
Summary: An extraordinary work -- highly recommended
Review: I'm touched by Dr.Shoen's book. I empathize with his deep caring and compassion for all living things and feel a stronger kinship or oneness with all life than ever before. If you've had animals in your life, you know how they add to the quality of your life and how you add to theirs. Dr. Schoen reinforces this quality through numerous real-life examples of the human-animal connection. (These examples are as special as any described in "Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul". He also illustrates how animals communicate with us and each other. For instance, he refers to the thought-provoking work of Rupert Sheldrake, who suggests that animals can communicate telepathically. (I invite you to read Sheldrake's book "How Dogs Know When Their Owners are Coming Home.) I am impressed by Dr. Schoen's broad medical experience and greatly appreciate the real-life examples that illustrate how he has integrated traditional and alternative therapies to treat animals holistically. Before reading his book, I didn't understand the possible uses of alternative therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, massage, herbal medicine (traditional and Chinese), nutrition, homeopathy, and gladular therapy. From the case studies in his book, now I have a much greater appreciation for these therapies and how I might use them for my pets as well as myself. Throughout his book, he refers to scientists and researchers who've contributed to our understanding of animals. And, at the end of the book, he helpfully includes a list of these resources so that you can read more about them. This book is written beautifully and sensitively. It is a magnificent contribution to our appreciation of animals and our understanding of how to care for them more compassionately and effectively.
Rating:
Summary: A WORLD OF LOVE, COMPASSION AND DEDICATION!
Review: If you love animals, you will thoroughly enjoy this delightful book. Schoen goes beyond the call of duty with his love, respect and overwhelming compassion for the animal kingdom. From my studies in psychology, and on a personal level, I can attest to the wonderful warm and loving bond that exists between humans and animals. The bond is so great that many physicians are no longer referring to animals as "pets" but "companions." In many ways, the term implies a well-deserved status and respect in our society. Not everyone is blessed with the benefits of a warm, nuturing family. For some, the love of a gentle, purring cat, or the devoted nature of a canine friend, is the only joy or ray of sunshine a person has in their life. Anyone who has had a life-long "companion", one who has shared their ups and downs, laughter and tears, survived marriages, divorces, and all kinds of life-encountered tragedies, knows only too well how strong and real the bond is. When old age and/or suffering takes its toll, and you find that out of kindness and love, it is time to take that wonderful companion for its last ride to the vet, you realize, without question and a tear in your eye, the remarkable bond of love that exists. Schoen, himself, is a remarkable heartwarming and compassionate person; the kind of person we could all use in our lives. As a veterinarian, one can only admire and respect his outlook on life and his deep understanding of the bond that can truly exist between humans and animals. Animals have a way of bringing out your deepest feelings. If you love animals, share Shoen's experiences and enjoy reading this marvelous book.
Rating:
Summary: Thank You, Dr. Schoen
Review: This is a beautiful, moving and important book that completely changed my world view.
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