PET MINISTRY

Humans underestimate the healing power of a dog. It’s magical pet power.  - Like a super hero but better. Yep, the mere presence of a canine companion can boost healing for the spirit, for the heart and for the body of a human.

I call this pet ministry.  Yes I know that pet ministry is about a pastor, rabbi, priest or some other God-loving human saying a blessing over a dog or a cat.  This is all backwards. Think about it: ministry means the act of serving or, one that serves as a means. Who else represents this definition better than a dog?

Studies show that simply petting an animal, such as a dog, can actually lower the heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure.  It’s therapeutic.

Therapy dogs have been an ideal solution for healing soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Nearly 20% of the soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD.  This has resulted in more than 100 soldier suicides every year.  Many soldiers are discovering that a dog is worth its weight in gold when it comes to working through their depression. We are good listeners, we never tell anyone your secrets – ever - and we love you regardless of what you have done or say.  Jet, my foster mom, says if she could find a man like this, she’d marry him. Organizations like Pets-to-Vets is leveraging this new approach as a way for dogs to serve the wonderful soldiers that first served us.

If you haven’t considered how awesome we (dogs) are when it comes to helping others, just look at what we can do for the elderly.  These are the humans that look like a wrinkly Shar-Pei.  Jet used to work in a nursing home and she said it was tough seeing how lonely the elderly people were because they got so few visitors.  They just need a dog.  You can count on us to show up. Its been proven that the wrinkly humans that have pets or regular pet visits will live longer, healthier lives and are better about eating and taking the treatments that make them feel better.

So, here’s my lesson of the day… Dogs make great pals.  We’re 100% loyal and always in a good mood.  – Bet you can’t say that about any human.  In addition, dogs are like physicians but better.  We heal health and hearts.  Take your dog to visit someone lonely, wrinkly or broken and watch what wonderful magic happens. – You’ll be better for it too.

Q Okay, the question of the day is from Rumpus who asked:  How can phones be ‘smart’ and humans be so dumb?

Dear Rumpus:

Why humans have the need to have smart phones is beyond me. Dumb cell phones work just fine.  You’d think that if humans wanted to make something ‘smarter’ they would choose each other.