Posted by Dinah on August 23, 2010, at 9:54:48
I thought it would be nice to follow up on a suggestion someone made on Admin, and start a thread for therapeutic experiences with pets. Does anyone want to share anything from their history, or anything that happened today or this week?
My experiences started with my third dog, a collie. She was the best listener in the world. She would stare into my eyes as I poured out all the pain at the trauma of middle school and changes in our home. I despised my psychiatrist/therapist at the time. But the dog was far more helpful. She even mumbled the occasional encouragement, in such a sympathetic tone that it was far better than the standard therapeutic rejoinders.
My sheltie reminds me so much of her. I can't bear to lose her. She doesn't mumble like the collie did, but she's got the same soul to soul stare.
We were doing obedience when she got sick, and it's so much fun training a dog who enjoys their work. I've been looking at doggie freestyle training.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqbVbPvlDoM
The bonding level is incredible! I remember the first exhibition I ever saw, set to "You will always be beautiful in my eyes" and it made me cry. My girl isn't up to Rookie's level of energetic dancing, but maybe we could have some fun doing some gentler work.
poster:Dinah
thread:959472
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20100806/msgs/959472.html