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by Straja Linder King
Until one has loved an animal… a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.
Anatole France
A faithful friend is the medicine of life.
Ecclesiasticus 6:16
Interaction and presence of companion animals facilitates awareness of
our interspecies connections. Research demonstrates how the bonds between
species expedites healing and fosters well being. Our beloved animal companions
help create a sacred balance. Following are some of the major benefits
of animal-assisted therapy.
Psychological Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy:
- Increases self-esteem.
- Opens communication (non-verbally)
- Improves attention skills
- Increases accountability/responsibility (caring, grooming and feeding)
- Provides opportunities for safe touch and interaction
- Lowers blood pressure
- Lowers heart rate
- Animals teach us about living in the moment--they help us appreciate what we are feeling now, rather than focussing on our feelings about our past, or worrying about our future.
Anonymous
Click here to see a Lethbridge Herald Article about Tangus
Click here to see tributes to Tangus
After the death of Kuzel, a therapy dog, who touched the lives of many and made a difference in Straja’s palliative and bereavement work, she volunteered her professional counselling services at a local pet loss support group, becoming the Director of Group Support. In 2000 for the Pet Loss Support Group’s 10th anniversary, she facilitated the creation of a huge community mural honoring and memorializing animal companion deaths. The mural hangs in the education room of Calgary’s new Animal Services building. Straja presented her pet bereavement program at a national conference in the Fall of 2003 and continues to educate and share her research in animal-assisted therapy and pet bereavement. She now provides a pet loss program called Kindred Spirits, held here at Spiritual Directions. For upcoming classes and information on Kindred Spirits: Healing the Loss of a Pet see the What's Happening page. or phone 210-2802.
we all deeply crave to be alive and live freely, and we all share this planet together.
Gandhi
Smith, Penelope. Animal talk. 1982. Interspecies Telepathic Communication.
Fitzpatrick, Sonya. What the Animals Tell Me. Hyperion, NY, 1997. Developing your innate telepathic skills to understand and communicate with your pets.