Hospice Hounds: Animals and Healing at the Borders of Death (Paperback)

by Michelle A. Rivera (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Animals' assisting in the healing process is becoming a very common practice, and allowing animals to visit dying people in hospices is therefore becoming more prevalent. In Hospice Hounds, Rivera shares her experiences with dogs brightening up the final months and days of people who are near death. Many of the stories pertain to her being a volunteer at a hospice, charged with the responsibility to accompany two caring dogs, Woody and Katie, as they visit the inhabitants. She first realized the comfort that a dog could bring to a dying person when her mother demanded a dog while lying on her deathbed in Rivera's home. At that time, the family didn't have a dog, so she first found a neighbor's dog to visit, and then eventually got a much needed and wanted dog for her family. Rivera, founder of the Prayer Alliance for Animals and author of many articles on dogs, has written an endearing book on the warming influence and care that dogs can give to a dying person. Julia Glynn
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Lantern Books (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930051360
• ISBN-13: 978-1930051362
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #231,429 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #39 in

  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Death & Grief > Pet Loss

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING!, May 15, 2001

By	Babette Haggerty-Brennan "Author: Woman's Bes... (Florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a fantastic book. At first, I was reluctant. I thought that it would be very sad. It is heartwarming. Michele brings you into the story as though you were there. It is very well written. It demonstrates the true healing powers of our beloved companions. Don't miss reading this book!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars human spirit lifted by pets - cry AND laugh, May 16, 2001

By A Customer

This book is wonderful! It describes the authors visits to a hospice facility with 2 dogs. She paints a vibrant picture of the visits. Each chapter discusses a different visit. Each chapter also describes a lesson in living - the author weaves a philosophical lesson in life into each visit. The books title may mislead. I was initially put off by the thought of reading about hospice, but it is not so much about death as it is about life. It is warm, funny, and, yes, sad too. You will cry (as my wife and I did) but you will also laugh and feel warm to read how these incredible pets did so much to smooth the hospice patients last weeks. I have lent this book to my friends and they all are raving about it.

5.0 out of 5 stars I laughed I cried - I loved it, May 20, 2001

By	"[e-mail]" (Riviera Beach, Fl United States) - See all my reviews

The title is a little off-putting - I did not think I wanted to read about hospice patients' last days. A friend convinced me to look at it. It is fantastic. The author relates her experiences taking 2 dogs to a hospice. Each chapter is about her encounter with a different patient. Each story evolves into a parable about life, and death. You will cry. But you will also laugh and be uplifted. You will be amazed at what animals can do to lift the human spirit when it is down. I am not aware of the author writing any other books, but I would love to read more from her - she paints a picture that is so vivid, you feel like you are in the room with her and the dogs. I have given this book to many of my friends and they all are raving about it. You must read this book!