Love, Miracles, and Animal Healing : A heartwarming look at the spiritual bond between animals and humans

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Summary: Wonderful Reading and Very Informative
Review: After reading this book I can think of so many people I'd like to send it to! I highly recommend it to anyone who has or loves animals. Some of the information in this book can save the lives of animal companions by showing the additional options available to heal health problems.

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Summary: An invaluable book for any devoted pet owner!
Review: As a college student aspiring to work with animals, this is the kind of book that consistently validates and reinforces my chosen career path. Dr. Allen M. Schoen, veterinarian and founder of the Veterinary Institute for Therapeutic Alternatives in Connecticut, has put together here a delightful and even potentially life-saving collection of stories and advice for pet owners. He eases the reader into the book by beginning with a few stories of the more miraculous cases he has seen over the years. Included is the story of Megan, a stray golden retriever that came to him with what appeared to be a hopeless case of heartworm. He promised her that if she made it, he'd keep her, and make it she did, going on to provide miraculous healing powers of her own to numerous other animals Dr. Schoen has treated. Schoen also relates some stories of incidents from his younger life that inspired his decision to enter a career where he could help animals.

Part II, entitled "Bonding," explores the major ways in which relationships between animals and humans, animals and others of their kind, and even between animals of different species, are developed, maintained, and strengthened. Schoen focuses on four major elements - listening, touching, feeling, and letting go. For each of these topics Schoen has related a series of truly heartwarming tales.

Part III, which comprises about half the bulk of the book, is entitled "Healing" and takes on a slightly more scholarly air. Dr. Schoen has incorporated various methods of alternative healing into his practice for years, and uses things like acupuncture, herbal treatments, and homeopathic remedies in conjunction with standard Western medicine. And he gets results, as evidenced by the numerous examples he gives of such treatments succeeding where conventional Western treatments have failed. He begins by introducing us to acupuncture, explaining how he came to be convinced of its effectiveness, and following this with a section on the different ways in which acupuncture and acupressure can help your own pet. There are also diagrams showing a few of the major acupressure points that he feels all pet owners should know, with explanations of what stimulation of these various points will do.

Schoen next explores the world of herbal remedies, again explaining how he was introduced to these as alternative treatments and how they can work to help your pet should Western medicine fail. He includes a "Top Nine" list of herbal remedies every pet owner should be aware of, explaining what each herb does and how it works, and sharing example cases from his own experience. However, Schoen warns all pet owners to consult a veterinarian or herbal specialist before attempting to treat your pet yourself, as herbs can be harmful or even lethal if used improperly or in the wrong amounts.

Next Schoen includes a brief section on nutrition and diet. He details the basic nutritional needs of the average dog and cat, and includes helpful charts that show how much of certain nutrients animals should receive based on their body weight. Also included are a few of Schoen's own recommended recipes for balanced, home-prepared meals for your pet.

The final alternative healing method Schoen discusses is the use of homeopathic remedies. Similar in a way to inoculations, except for the fact that they are used to treat rather than prevent illnesses, homeopathic treatments rely on the use of heavily diluted samples of agents which, if encountered in large quantities, would actually cause the symptoms the patient is experiencing. For example, an allergic reaction to bee stings would be treated by crushing the bee, diluting the resulting pulp until only a trace amount of bee residue remains, and giving a few drops to the patient. Though such treatments remain the topic of heated debate, Schoen has repeatedly experienced success with these methods and provides numerous example stories to prove it.

Part IV, the final section of the book, is entitled "Teachings" and eases us back out of the book in much the same way we were drawn in - with a series of uplifting tales about the things animals can teach their humans and each other. Among these things are compassion, forgiveness, transformation, gratitude, sacrifice, and joy. One of my favorite tales was of a small stray cat named Daisy, adopted by a friend of Dr. Schoen's, who could not fully adjust to a life shared with humans until another cat was introduced to the household. The newcomer showed Daisy how to interact with their human companion and helped her overcome her confusion and fear. The very last story in the book takes us back to Megan, Schoen's golden retriever, in her final days at the age of fourteen. Schoen relates how, even in the process of dying, this very special dog continued to teach him valuable lessons about life.

This is a book any pet owner should read, particularly those with cats and dogs. However, any animal lover will find plenty of useful material here, as there are also stories of Schoen's experiences with horses, cows, rabbits, birds, and other animals - even a camel. The stories are thoroughly enjoyable, often downright amazing, and the insights and advice offered by Dr. Schoen are invaluable. An owner of five cats myself, the book brought to my attention numerous alternative veterinary treatments that I had now known about before. The writing is fluid, colorful, lively, and very friendly, and the book can easily be finished in a day or two. At the very end Schoen has included an appendix with contact information for various veterinary resources, and also a short list of recommended further reading. I recommend this book most highly to any pet owner, animal lover, aspiring veterinarian, and also to practicing veterinarians looking for additional treatment alternatives.

Rating:
Summary: A Book for all Animal Lovers
Review: Dr. Schoen and Pam Proctor have written a remarkable tale of veterinary practice and the animals and people encountered along the way. Dr. Schoen relates his own path from traditional veterianry medicine to a mixed practice including alternative therapies for animals. His stories of healing will intrigue you to continue turning each page as you follow the lives of his extraordianry patients. Thank you Dr. Schoen and Pam Proctor. As a veterinary student I found this book extremely inspiring.

Rating:
Summary: A Book for all Animal Lovers
Review: Dr. Schoen and Pam Proctor have written a remarkable tale of veterinary practice and the animals and people encountered along the way. Dr. Schoen relates his own path from traditional veterianry medicine to a mixed practice including alternative therapies for animals. His stories of healing will intrigue you to continue turning each page as you follow the lives of his extraordianry patients. Thank you Dr. Schoen and Pam Proctor. As a veterinary student I found this book extremely inspiring.

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Summary: Emily, Manhattan Beach CA
Review: Truly beautiful. Made me cry then smile. I have a 12-year golden retriever myself, and they are definitely a gift of joy and love

Rating:
Summary: Emily, Manhattan Beach CA
Review: Truly beautiful. Made me cry then smile. I have a 12-year golden retriever myself, and they are definitely a gift of joy and love