Healing Animals

A somewhat recent development in the assortment of ‘non-traditional’ modalities available at medical treatment facilities has been the inclusion of visitor animals. Usually dogs, though sometimes cats, rabbits and even llamas and miniature horses are brought in. They make the rounds with their handlers stopping by the bedsides of patients or the chairs of visiting family members and for several minutes are simply present for these people.

They might be petted. A conversation about a loved pet at home may be inspired. Whatever the exchange, the presence of these animals always seems to leave everyone in a better state emotionally. The quantifiers assign values to these experiences to help make the case for their efficacy in healing to the insurance industry. Meanwhile, we animal appreciators already know the value of such interactions to the enhancement of well-being and its impact on alleviating suffering.

What is about these situations that is so positive?

• Is it the novelty of seeing a bit of the more natural world in the context of the manufactured elements typical in such places?
• Is it the familiarity and association of good things with animals?
• The raw connection to the outside world?
• Their calm?
• The non-judgment?
• The soft fur?
• The big eyes?
• All of these things?

No one really knows for certain. Not scientifically anyway. Intuitively we do know, though, don’t we. Lfe is better with animals so it stands to reason that healing is easier in their presence.

 

Visitor Dogs Inspire Healing

Activity

1. Go with a Pet Partner team as they visit people at a local medical facility. Note the changes you observe in patients, visitors and staff alike as they experience the animal present.
2. Or take a look at this youtube video of such a visit:
   
3. Sit quietly with a pet (your own or someone else’s, totally doesn’t matter) and pay particular attention to the changes you may be experiencing internally as a result of this pleasant proximity.

Creative Consideration

You’ll need:

• colored pencils
• pens
• paper or your sketchbook

a. Make a non-representational drawing of what it might be like to experience a hospital room in pain, discomfort and uncertainty or fear.

b. On top of that drawing or on a separate page, make another drawing of how you conceptualize the energy of a visitor animal impacting that same situation.

Discussion

• What do you think animals bring to the healing process?
• Do you have any personal experiences with the influence of animal energy in your own well being?

Jot your ideas down in your notebook

Resources

The Delta Society registers what they call Pet Partner Teams (usually a human and a canine, though other appropriate animals may be registered as well) after they pass an evaluation process. These teams then connect with facilities who desire such visits and make arrangements to get on sight and spread this positive influence as often as they can. More info at: http://www.deltasociety.org

Finding Unicorns Part 1

Unicorns have been a part of human folklore for many centuries. Their mystique is captivating. From what I know of equine nature, the practicality of a thousand pound creature with a propensity to skedaddle in perhaps unpredictable directions with a saber coming out of his head is questionable from a handler’s point of view.

“Can I pet your unic—AAAARGHGH!” as the startled equine whips his noggin around to get a gander at his now punctured benefactor. A fresh victim to the unicorn’s flighty nature and gold and ivory head piece.

So I give you “Exhibit A”:

We may not actually want to find unicorns.

I think that we’re after, our ‘Holy Grail” of unicorn seeking is the notion that these marvelous animals are enduring symbols of the fantastic in nature and what we actually hope to find is more evidence of that. In this, with the right attitude, we can never fail. Thus we can be and are ever surrounded by unicorns of every size and color. For the so-enlightened they are ubiquitous throughout every landscape. Every ecosystem is lousy with unicorns! Forests, seashores, mountain tops, gardens, yards, parks, trails, rivers, empty lots, moonscapes, underneath rocks — all loaded with unicorns.

For the really clever among us, the well practiced, the open minded, the seekers of joy — unicorns show up in even more places:

• board rooms
• communication exchanges (letters, email, Facebook posts)
• parties
• in books, magazine articles and blogs,
• the shopping mall
• certainly every farmer’s market out there
• artists’ studios
• stages
• in every melody, drum beat and rhythm
• in math equations
• strange conjectures
• good design
• bad design
• menus
• fashion…..

You get the idea. Wherever there is a garden of ideas in various states of growth or dormancy there are potential unicorns.

Perhaps where we're looking is a bit 'off'...

Beginners Guide

To get up and out of our ‘normal’ selves with our ‘regular’ point of view we’re going to have to get up and out of our conventional routines. This will help set the frame of mind necessary to successfully find these unusual beings.

Prep Activity A

De-Routinize the Day

• Eat dinner for breakfast Starting with dessert
• If you shower in the morning — don’t. If you shower at night — do it now.

Outside Influence

• Do you usually log on, link in, check your email/messages/voice mail, etc? Not today.
• Watch or listen to the news? Nope, not today kiddo.

Positive Armor

• Mix up your clothes. Wear that thing you usually save for special occasions; a pair of shoes out of daily rotation, a necklace that usually sits there waiting for its chance to shine. What I’m talking about here are items that you got because you out and out had to have them — not for any practical purposes really, just delightful ones. These are your own ready-made personal power emblems.

You see, this is the perfectly nonsensical thinking that unicorns find so irresistible!

• You are also encouraged to create your own unicorn finding outfit. Special shoes, jeans, earrings, top, tie, belt, socks you catch my drift.

Prep Activity B

Now plop down and write out all the reasons you will NOT find unicorns. You know what I’m talking about. Stuff like:

Because they don’t exist.

No one’s ever seen one.

They’re invisible.

They’re scared of people.

I don’t know what-all. Go ahead be negative. Give it your best shot. Phew! Feel better? Feel all grown up and smart? Right-o. They can’t say you’re crazy now — look how sensible you are with your list.

Prep Activity C

Argue on paper with your sensible list. If you’re with a group doing this activity, shoot holes in everyone’s ‘realistic declarations’. e.g. “No one’s ever seen one.” YET. “They’re invisible.” So are atoms. So is air. You get the gist. If you don’t get it, just call it “Opposite Day” and go with that for now. The ol’ up is down, left is right routine. You get the drill. After all Rome, and it’s zoos full of unicorns, wasn’t built in a day.

On to Finding Unicorns Part 2