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• April 22, 2012 5:35 p.m.

  Animal Therapy is emerging into a new therapy technique that is providing effective results for the people that are using animal therapy. I recently heard that there has been studies done by that animal therapy has proven to help lower blood pressure with people with heart disease and that by interacting with an animal has increased a person’s hormone oxytocin, a hormone that provides the body with a state of readiness to heal and grows new cells.

  - ChuckleCow

• August 4, 2010 9:38 a.m.

  I am single, 70+, have two kitties whom I got a few months before I had back surgerylast year, was in a lot of pain and depressed. Quite frankly, I do not think I would be here if it were not for them. I'm still dealing with depression but my kitties really make a difference. They keep me going and comfort me in many ways. Pets can definitely make a difference.

  - Anne

• July 29, 2010 10:45 p.m.

  I had never owned a pet until 4 years ago. I am 49 years old and in poor health. Never did I know how much an animal could come to mean to me. My dog Precious has brought so much joy laughter and love in my life. I, Like your story have had to get out of bed when I felt I could not to take care of her. She definitely keeps me active. I truly treasure her!

  - No name given

• July 24, 2010 7:49 a.m.

  I have somewhat of a Toto story. As a child I heard a story of a family across the orchards, dog jumping in a swollen creek and beening carrying away. Later on in life riding as a passenger in a car near a swollen creek I saw a woman throw her arms up. That dog immediately came to mind. I told my friend who was driving to pull over and run to the river. We both did but to my great shock, a very small boy, not a dog floated by. My friend leaped into the river and pulled him out with effort. Luckly the boy started breathing spontaneously on his own. Even distant memories of animals save lives. Had it been a dog I hate to say it I would have done the leaping!

  - Carol

• July 23, 2010 2:42 p.m.

  One of my little poodles, Bosco, got hit by a car. I was in a hurry one night getting ready to go out and let him out without a leash. I never let him out alone without a leash and was so sorry I did that night. He came crawling back up our stairs limping and with his eye all puffed out of the socket. Now he is all healed up but blind in one eye and walks on three legs most of the time. I think he may have some brain damage too because now when he sits on my lap in the chair he always brings his torn up stuffed toy with him in his mouth. I like to think maybe our pets are getting healing and peace from us petting them, the same as they give us, and that is maybe what makes us feel good. Dr. Creagan, did you ever think about going into veterinary medicine? I think you would make a good one.

  - carol

• July 21, 2010 10:28 p.m.

  One night I was crying in my bedroom and my daughter' cat named Cinnamon came into my room very silently. He stood in the center until I turned off the light. He did that every time I was crying at night because I discovered my husband had a lover. Cinnamon came to live in my house a week before I discovered the adultery. He became my companion during my worse days when I did cry all nights until the early mornings. He was my daughter's cat but refused to leave me alone in the room. One year after my divorce started Cinnamon developed a critical urinary infection. He lived in the hospital for one month. I did not have money to pay for his care. He did have a medical insurance but the co-pays were a big concern for his long hospitalization. We had to make a decision and to put him to sleep. He was really sick. After my daughters and I cried so much for him, I decided to give him a second chance and I took the risk that he may die after all our efforts to save him. He brought so much peace to my life when I most needed that in return I did not want to give up to him too. I am glad. He survived. He is happy and healthy and in my new home. Two years had passed and every time he decides to sleep at my bed or at my daughter's bed is because he feels someone is sick or worry. He seems to know when he his presence is needed. I call him a therapist because he always get close to someone who is in need of consolation or just company. We love Cinnamon. He is a great therapist.

  - Janet

• July 21, 2010 8:58 p.m.

  I've always had pets, but since I've had fibromyalgia, I can attest to the comfort and joy their presence brings, especially to the chronically ill. My cat (a stray 6 yrs ago) is my constant companion, laying with me when I'm unable to be active, and 'helping' me when I'm able to be up and around. I talk to him a lot, about everything, which I've noticed helps relieve my anxiety and stress. He's my little blessing!

  - Chel

• July 21, 2010 1:39 p.m.

  My son is going through a divorce right now. He & his dog are living with us for awhile. The dog has helped my son with the stress & depression from the divorce. Also the dog has helped me alot deal with my own depression. Dogs have a sense when something is wrong & they stay by your side whenever you need someone. I don't know what I'd do with out the dog to keep me happy right now.

  - Becky

• July 21, 2010 10:44 a.m.

  I lost my only daughter last October unexpectedly in an accident. She was only 20 years old. I struggled with going on with my own life. I have six beautiful cats at home who have helped me get up to take care of them each and every day. They have given me more love and peace in my life and I truly believe they have helped me to be here today. They need me and I need them so very much.

  - Diane

• July 21, 2010 6:09 a.m.

  I have adopted a little dog from a rescue organization. My pet has done more for me than I have for him. He's been better to me than any human. What a gift!

  - Paul

• July 20, 2010 4:12 p.m.

  I used to volunteer along with a couple of pets I owned. A hedgehog (Mr Tinkleberry) and 57 dog (Gizz). They were dearly loved by the patients at the Veteran's Hospital I lived near by and a Senior's home. They remembered England those that lived there during the wars. Gizz was a little closer contact and knew when patient needed a friend, totally relaxed patient and cheered them up. When these pet's passed on, the patients missed them both and staff.

  - Nancy

• July 20, 2010 3:56 p.m.

  I am currently training a Psychiatric Service Dog - a puppy named Caleb. He is 6 months old and is a Newfoundland/Standard Poodle cross now being called a Poodlelander. He is black with a white beard, tuxedo chest and one white paw. His coat because it's summer does shed when he scratches himself but that is because of his double coat. He is learning instructions very well and is as my husband says is a 'cuddlebum' and and a 'ragamuffin'. He will assist me to deal with my organic Agoraphobia and Panic Attacks which started after ECT invaded my Fear/Flight centre so I have not been out anywhere without a family member or trusted friend since early 1993. I can't wait for Caleb to be fully trained and certified. He's a handful now because he's a puppy but I know both the Newfie & Poodle breeds so well that I know this is a match made in Heaven. He'll be big, black, well-behaved [an ambassador] - just what I & many others with Neurological challenges need. Indeed, I hope to be able to become a breeder to provide these wonderful 'mutts' for free to everyone who needs a Psych. Service Dog!

  - Judith

• July 20, 2010 3:56 p.m.

  I have a small chihuahua that is registered as a service animal. He silently assisted me in so many ways that I took for granted. For many years he behaved and assumed the role of a family pet because I always had so many people around me. Then, I had several tragic events occur in my life. One of these was losing my husband. Scooter jumped into a role he never really resigned from and had not forgotten. It's not just that he provides the attention and comfort from having him around. He immediately began to respond to my medical needs, including mental and emotional ones, as if by magic he somehow knew that this was no longer being provided. There were some mornings that I was so depressed and so immersed in grief that I couldn't attend to my own daily and personal needs. Life has improved for me as I've learned to take care of myself and be more attentive to my own physical and medical needs. However, I recall mornings of having two paws press firmly on my sternum and sometimes he would lick the soles of my feet until I would respond. I never expected to have to live alone to a point of having to learn how to take care of myself. But, I'm not alone. Scooter provides companionship but he is attentive and fully assistive in both simple everyday needs that others take for granted as well as being able to respond and assist when I have a medical crisis.

  - Anne

• July 20, 2010 2:04 p.m.

  When I was trying to heal from an assault, I got a rescue dog. I thought I was rescuing her, but she helped me become a strong person again and, of course I'm always careful, but I am not afraid anymore.

  - anonymous

• July 20, 2010 1:50 p.m.

  You first have to get to the point where you want a pet. Once you get to that point, then, yes, the pet brings you forward very fast into peace, happiness,love and life.

  - Kay

• July 19, 2010 9:49 p.m.

  My husband and I rescued a very sick cat and slowly nursed him back to health. When my Type 1 diabetic husband is about to have a low, which doesn't happen often, but with little or no warning, our "rescue cat" becomes the rescuer, meowing, pacing, and alerting - he has some way of knowing when action is needed.

  - Jean

• July 15, 2010 1:27 p.m.

  I have depression problems, and my Shetland Sheepdog is the only real joy in my life. Now, he is elderly, and has a fatal illness....

  - John

• July 15, 2010 10:58 a.m.

  When my Dad passed away, my Mom came to live with us and she has Alzeimers. Our dog Jayka has been the joy of her life, she wakes up every morning and asks where she is, she pets her and everytime the disease takes over, we call Jayka and the smile on my Mom comes back. They are true miracles these animals.

  - Anna Maria

• July 15, 2010 8:50 a.m.

  i know a long time ago that all animals if watched carefully do have messages and healing power unknown to many.

  - Jacob