Chemo or Cat?
My years as a conventional and integrative veterinarian have taught me that the human-animal bond goes beyond companionship. Animals are here to be our guides and teachers, and to help us on this journey called life. The most important lesson they teach us is to love without judgment. They view us as special people, whether or not the rest of the world agrees.Our animal companions are also here to help us heal physical and emotional ailments. I remember a very special cat named Stuart. Stuarts guardian brought him to me for his diabetes. He told me that Stuart was a very, very gifted cat, so I had to help him. This mans child had died from leukemia, and he believed that Stuart had given his son two more years of life. When the doctors said that his son had only weeks to live, Stuart stayed by his side night and day. He was such a comfort to the little boy. The child made a miraculous turn around, and lived another two years. Stuarts guardian was convinced that the cat was responsible for his childs rally.Now the father had developed a nerve tumor, and knew that Stuart would be there for him. I just had to make him well again. (No pressure there.) I remember thinking that the doctors probably changed the childs chemotherapy, and that while Stuart had been a wonderful companion, there was no way he was really responsible for helping the child. Now that I understand the energy of the human-animal bond, and the amazing ability of animals to help us heal, Im not so sure. Chemo or cat? Perhaps it was a bit of both.Im sure many of you have heard stories of animals that wouldnt leave a sick child or a grieving widowers side. In the days following 9/11, the dogs brought in as comfort to the rescue workers were as important as the search and resuce dogs. I cant forget the experience of losing a canine patient to smoke inhalation. This beautiful, young airedale pulled his toddler companion out of a burning house. The child is alive today because of his dog. Some would say Im just anthropomorphizing g! iving hu man qualities to an animal. Am I anthropomorphizing when I saythe dogacted as any firefighter would? I dont think so. Was it a coincidence that this particular dog came into this familys lives? I dont believe so. And would the airedale do it all over again? You bet he would.Adapted from Through A Dogs Ear: Using Sound to Improve the Health and Behavior of Your Canine Companion, Sounds True Publishing, 2007.
Dr. Susan Wagner is a board certified veterinary neurologist whose pioneering work acknowledges the bioenergetic interaction between people and animals. She is an advocate for change in the area of interpersonal violence and animal cruelty, and works toward a greater understanding surrounding the health implications of the human-animal bond. Dr. Wagner is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University Veterinary College, a Level IV Healing Touch for Animals practitioner and co-author of Through A Dogs Ear.
Dr. Susan Wagner is a board certified veterinary neurologist whose pioneering work acknowledges the bioenergetic interaction between people and animals. She is an advocate for change in the area of interpersonal violence and animal cruelty, and works toward a greater understanding surrounding the health implications of the human-animal bond. Dr. Wagner is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University Veterinary College, a Level IV Healing Touch for Animals practitioner and co-author of Through A Dogs Ear.
