Daily Om: Pet Healing
August 4, 2005
Pet Medicine
Animals As Healers
All pet owners have had, at one time or another, an experience
in which their pet, whether golden retriever, kitten, horse, or iguana,
recognized their suffering and offered comfort. Animals, both wild and
domesticated, have the ability to sense changes in the body and mind and can
positively influence humans in many ways. They can inspire playful thoughts in
those discouraged and remind us of the need to nurture both ourselves and
others. They can even affect profound physical changes in humans, by lowering
our blood pressure and reducing stress. The gentle purring of a cat or a
friendly nuzzle from a warm lizard can be a form of healing, and all animals,
even those in the wild, are natural healers.
A house pet can tell you
many things, if you observe. Your pet will choose to sleep in the places in your
home that have the best energy and, when you're ill, may concentrate its
attention on the area of your body that needs healing. Stroking soft fur, a
smooth, scaly back, or downy feathers can enhance memory, shorten recovery time
after an injury, help curb depression, open lines of communication, and even
increase a person's chance of survival after a heart attack. For many years,
schools, nursing homes, and even prisons have let their charges visit with
specially trained animals periodically because a visit with a pet both calms and
cheers people. With the elderly, the love of an animal can heighten cognitive
ability, movement, and quality of life. Wild animals, too, have their own
healing powers. The antics of a silly squirrel can lift the spirits while the
industrious ant is an inspiration. A chance encounter with a dolphin or manatee
can be life changing.
In mythology, the centaur was the keeper of the
art of healing and the Egyptian god Anubis was the healer of the gods. It is not
surprising that so many people keep pets or enjoy watching animals in nature.
Animals transform us and their unique and beautiful modes of healing are as
natural as they are.
What do you think?
Pet Medicine
Animals As Healers
All pet owners have had, at one time or another, an experience
in which their pet, whether golden retriever, kitten, horse, or iguana,
recognized their suffering and offered comfort. Animals, both wild and
domesticated, have the ability to sense changes in the body and mind and can
positively influence humans in many ways. They can inspire playful thoughts in
those discouraged and remind us of the need to nurture both ourselves and
others. They can even affect profound physical changes in humans, by lowering
our blood pressure and reducing stress. The gentle purring of a cat or a
friendly nuzzle from a warm lizard can be a form of healing, and all animals,
even those in the wild, are natural healers.
A house pet can tell you
many things, if you observe. Your pet will choose to sleep in the places in your
home that have the best energy and, when you're ill, may concentrate its
attention on the area of your body that needs healing. Stroking soft fur, a
smooth, scaly back, or downy feathers can enhance memory, shorten recovery time
after an injury, help curb depression, open lines of communication, and even
increase a person's chance of survival after a heart attack. For many years,
schools, nursing homes, and even prisons have let their charges visit with
specially trained animals periodically because a visit with a pet both calms and
cheers people. With the elderly, the love of an animal can heighten cognitive
ability, movement, and quality of life. Wild animals, too, have their own
healing powers. The antics of a silly squirrel can lift the spirits while the
industrious ant is an inspiration. A chance encounter with a dolphin or manatee
can be life changing.
In mythology, the centaur was the keeper of the
art of healing and the Egyptian god Anubis was the healer of the gods. It is not
surprising that so many people keep pets or enjoy watching animals in nature.
Animals transform us and their unique and beautiful modes of healing are as
natural as they are.
What do you think?