A few years ago, I gave a TEDx talk, the Life Changing Powers of the Animal-Human Health Connection. In this presentation I shared how Kayla, a twelve-year-old yellow lab, alerted her human guardian, Roxanne, to a tiny lump in her breast. The growth, undetected on a recent mammogram, turned out to be an aggressive and fast-growing form of cancer. Because of Kayla, the cancer was caught early, and Roxanne survived.
When our dogs whine, whimper, and bark, we tell them to be quiet, shout at them to stop, or simply ignore them. But what if we actually took the time to listen to them? Like Kayla, your dog may be trying to save your life. Sure, they also might be asking you for their dinner. But awakening to this awareness that our animal friends can be our health and wellness allies is an important first step in realizing the Animal-Human Health Connection.
Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse
As a child, I felt a strong bond with dogs. When I was lonely, they were friends who comforted me in ways that humans could not. Decades later, working as an acupuncturist in Marin County, California, I learned this healing bond was not unique to me. Clients with health issues ranging from colds to cancer came to see me. Some I could help, some I could not. But one thing those people with pets had in common was that when they talked about their animal friends, their spirit changed on a dime.
These clients might have come in complaining of stress, high blood pressure, or anxiety, but when they shared their stories of how their dog never left their side while they were ill, or how their cat comforted them after a break-up, or how a horse helped them heal after losing a loved one, I heard laughter, saw smiles, and often witnessed tears. As a practitioner, I knew these were signs that my clients were releasing stress and their bodies were producing powerful feel-good hormones like oxytocin that created relief and wellbeing.
At the time, I had a “six-pack” of rescue dogs and cats. Generally, I adopted animals that no one else wanted, including a dog confiscated in a drug bust in South Central Los Angeles named Roxy, an old street dog named Teddy, and a tuxedo cat with FIV named Jester. I believed I was rescuing them. Later, I realized we were rescuing each other. Through our bond, I learned important lessons, such as living life in the present, embracing forgiveness, and cultivating gratitude.
My experience with my patients in my acupuncture practice combined with the wisdom imparted from living with my pack of rescue animals inspired my award-winning book, Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse, and all of my books since then.
A Whole-Hearted Life
The leading cause of death in the U.S. is heart disease; a condition that is often preventable through positive lifestyle choices like regular exercise. Moderate-intensity walking can help lower the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes. And according to the American Heart Association, the more you walk, the more your health benefits increase. Research shows dog guardians walk 22 minutes more per day than their dog-less friends. That’s over two and a half hours more in the course of one week!
The human heart is a physical organ, but what about the emotional component? In a poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, 86% of responders reported their cats had a positive impact on their mental health by providing a calming presence and helping reduce stress and anxiety.
Maybe your animal companions will never save your life as dramatically as Kayla did. But in matters of the heart, both physical and emotional, the Animal-Human Health Connection can be a powerful addition to your health and wellness tool box. If you were to put this whole-hearted wellness provided by our pets into a pill, how much would you be willing to pay for it? For me, this medicine is invaluable, and well-worth the cost of an adoption fee from a local shelter where there are plenty of dog doctors and cat nurses eagerly waiting for a second chance at love. And these health benefits provided by our animal friends are barely the tip of the wellness ice-berg.
Unsung Heroes
Our animal companions may be some of the least appreciated, underrated and overlooked health and wellness partners of our lifetime. In particular, when it comes to helping us live a healthier, happier and whole-hearted life. Because if there is one thing our animal companions excel at, an unmatchable quality that if humans could emulate might change our divided world for the better – it’s unconditional love. For our wellbeing, there is no force more powerful than that.
Stay healthy & Stay pawsitive,
Carlyn MDO 
PS: Let me know what you think of this post. What animal friend do you live with? What is your experience with the animal-human bond? Leave your thoughts in the comment section! I look forward to connecting with you!
