The Healing Power of Pets

The Healing Power of Pets
Written by Dr. Marty Becker
with Danelle Morton
Published by Hyperion of New York
Why do we need our pets? If you are anything like me then you already know that your life could not be complete with out a pet, be it a cat or a dog, both and or any other assorted creatures big or small that you might happen to love. For me, I love all animals buts dogs are where my fondness lies. I  actually got this book as a gift from an event held in my city called Paws in the Park. It's put on by the Helping Hands Humane Society every year at Gage Park which is in Topeka where I happen to live. They put on a lot of pet events in our area and for that I'm very grateful because I enjoy as many of them as I can get to.  Back to the book.
The author, Dr. Marty Becker has done a wonderful job putting this collection of stories of some experiences of what makes the people/pet bond so amazing and beneficial for us humans.  He starts out sharing the power of childhood pets, which my love for pets began very early.  My first dog was actually my grand parents dog, a beautiful and gentle German Shepherd named Lady. At my house we had a calico cat named Tiger.
 I loved animals so much as a child that I knew every single dog in the neighborhood by name and most of them were quite happy to see me. There were some that were questionable and behind fences so that may have been a very good thing in it's self. But I still would say hello to them whenever I walked by.

This book has so much to share regarding the health benefits, physically, mentally and emotionally of  being in contact with pets. It's not just about children and pets. There have been such great results for disabled, elderly, lonely and people dealing with illnesses, anxiety and even depression. There self quizzes to help you find the perfect pet for any situation. There are also tests to figure out how strong your people/pet bond is.   This book is full of amazing facts and so much information that anyone that may be considering a pet would benefit from reading this book.  There are so many extraordinary benefits from having a pet and everyone can benefit.  I hope you will check it out.  It is available on Amazon and maybe be at other places online as well.
From Dr. Marty Becker, co-author of the bestsellers Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul, and Chicken Soup for the Cat and Dog Lovers Soul comes a groundbreaking new book that reveals the stirring stories and medical miracles behind the healing power of pets. Pets and people have been living together for thousands of years, but as pets have moved indoors, there have been extraordinary changes in the relationship.
In the last twenty years, medical research has increasingly proven the healing effect pets can have for the ill, the elderly, the stressed-out, and the emotionally disengaged. Research shows that people with pet companions have fewer doctor visits and recover more quickly from severe illnesses.
 In The Healing Power of Pets, Dr. Marty Becker, resident vet on ABC-TVs Good Morning America shows readers how pets can prevent, detect, treat, and in some cases cure a variety of maladies, from arthritis to asthma, and from Alzheimer's to depression. Pets decrease cardiovascular risk factors, motivate their sedentary owners to exercise, and help people deal with chronic pain. In addition, the book offers heartwarming true stories of pets who have enriched and even saved their owners lives to reveal the lasting physical, emotional, and social benefits of the human-animal bond.
 For those of us who have always believed that pets enhance our lives and make us better human beings, Marty Becker drives the lesson home with compassion and wit. Our beloved animals never had a better friend. Nancy L. Snyderman, M.D. Dr. Becker steps confidently and competently into the animal-human arena, adding a strong voice for the healing powers of animals. Susan Chernak McElroy, author of Animals as Teachers and Healers