Customer Reviews

Kindred Spirits: How the Remarkable Bond Between Humans and Animals Can Change the Way We Live

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Allen Schoen is a kind and compassionate veterinarian who from childhood has felt an intense bond with animals, and a mission to heal them. He is interested in service and sprituality, and is also a clear thinker. One of the best things about this book is that Schoen has a real, live, active veterinary practice, large and small animals, and shares it with the reader. Beneath his sweet and tender heart and soulful approach is sheer bedrock: the fact that he has (for example) gone out in the middle of a freezing cold night to drive miles to a barn, scrubbed, put on gloves, hunkered down in straw, and reached into a laboring animal in critical trouble - to aid in a birth. You are reading a man who walks the walk. His redoubtable philosophy is grounded in his career.

In vet school Schoen met with resistance to many of his convictions regarding the humane treatment of lab animals. As a practicing veterinarian, he bumped into similar resistance regarding humane treatment of livestock in particular. He shares generously - and without prejudice. Sometimes things don't always turn out in agreement with his beliefs, and he writes of them, too.

In this engaging book Dr. Schoen treats the reader to contemporary American versions of James Herriot-style adventures (heart-stopping rescues, birthing stories, and a tale about a dachshund-owning woman who ended up presenting what Schoen, in a great play on words, calls "Munchhausen by Dachsie") - with a generous helping of intelligent contributions on topics ranging from the increase of food allergies in animals; disorders of the immune system; how to "think like an animal"; cancer; aging and ailing, and the role of love, touching, meditation, and mindfulness in humans' best efforts to facilitate healing in their animals. Finally, he offers good advice on what to do when no more can be done.

This book has much to offer readers interested in bettering the lives of their animals. I would add that some, if not many, of Schoen's opinions regarding animal consciousness and the 'rightness' of humane treatment of animals are much more widely accepted today than when Schoen entered veterinary school. This book is valuable for its message of connectedness, hopefulness, and love. To that end it joins a number of other voices who have also called for those virtues. Dr. Schoen's obvious wealth of clinical experience contributes considerable muscle to this worthwhile book.

I always thought I had read everything I needed to know about the emotional lives of animals. I've read everything I could lay my hands on. This is the first book to cross my path that marries the two-way emotional relationship that we share to holistic veterinary care. Many great books on animals' lives give great detail into the many ways animals help their human companions but I had never realised that I wasn't being shown how I could return the favor.

Dr Schoen's book is a doorway to understanding non-western medicine. I had felt that I was mentally open to medicines like Chinese herbal medicine, naturopathy & acupuncture but after reading this book I can now add Bach flower remedies, homeopathy, chiropratic and several other therapies. Not only am I now aware of how these therapies are used on animals but I now have faith in their efficacy.

This book is not a 'how to' on holistic healing for animals, although Dr Schoen does provide a list of helpful books on the subject as well as details on how to locate a veterinary doctor who may practice holistically.

This is, however, a book to touch your heart, offer hope & open your mind. I was moved to tears by both his stories & how his stories made me feel towards my own past & present animal companions. I take from this book many things that I will put into practice every day and I thank Dr Schoen for his beautiful book.

I already love animals but I never knew exactly why until I read Dr. Schoen's wonderful, warm, and wise words. Extraordinarily well written, this book helps you understand why animals and humans belong together, forever, in ways that defy modern science. Please buy this book for everyone you know. It could change someone's life. As well as yours.

I'm touched by Dr.Shoen's book. I empathize with his deep caring and compassion for all living things and feel a stronger kinship or oneness with all life than ever before.

If you've had animals in your life, you know how they add to the quality of your life and how you add to theirs. Dr. Schoen reinforces this quality through numerous real-life examples of the human-animal connection. (These examples are as special as any described in "Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul".

He also illustrates how animals communicate with us and each other. For instance, he refers to the thought-provoking work of Rupert Sheldrake, who suggests that animals can communicate telepathically. (I invite you to read Sheldrake's book "How Dogs Know When Their Owners are Coming Home.)

I am impressed by Dr. Schoen's broad medical experience and greatly appreciate the real-life examples that illustrate how he has integrated traditional and alternative therapies to treat animals holistically.

Before reading his book, I didn't understand the possible uses of alternative therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, massage, herbal medicine (traditional and Chinese), nutrition, homeopathy, and gladular therapy. From the case studies in his book, now I have a much greater appreciation for these therapies and how I might use them for my pets as well as myself.

Throughout his book, he refers to scientists and researchers who've contributed to our understanding of animals. And, at the end of the book, he helpfully includes a list of these resources so that you can read more about them.

This book is written beautifully and sensitively. It is a magnificent contribution to our appreciation of animals and our understanding of how to care for them more compassionately and effectively.

If you love animals, you will thoroughly enjoy this delightful book. Schoen goes beyond the call of duty with his love, respect and overwhelming compassion for the animal kingdom. From my studies in psychology, and on a personal level, I can attest to the wonderful warm and loving bond that exists between humans and animals. The bond is so great that many physicians are no longer referring to animals as "pets" but "companions." In many ways, the term implies a well-deserved status and respect in our society.

Not everyone is blessed with the benefits of a warm, nuturing family. For some, the love of a gentle, purring cat, or the devoted nature of a canine friend, is the only joy or ray of sunshine a person has in their life. Anyone who has had a life-long "companion", one who has shared their ups and downs, laughter and tears, survived marriages, divorces, and all kinds of life-encountered tragedies, knows only too well how strong and real the bond is. When old age and/or suffering takes its toll, and you find that out of kindness and love, it is time to take that wonderful companion for its last ride to the vet, you realize, without question and a tear in your eye, the remarkable bond of love that exists.

Schoen, himself, is a remarkable heartwarming and compassionate person; the kind of person we could all use in our lives. As a veterinarian, one can only admire and respect his outlook on life and his deep understanding of the bond that can truly exist between humans and animals. Animals have a way of bringing out your deepest feelings. If you love animals, share Shoen's experiences and enjoy reading this marvelous book.

Geez, it's been done a ba-jillion times already, hasn't it? Animals as healers, teachers, guides, yadda yadda yadda.

Well, what's different here is that the author has some authority, being a DVM. Besides some rather heart-warming tales, which we would hope for in a book like this, Dr. Schoen offers a great deal of doctorly advice, but from the fresh perspective of someone who has been somewhat liberated from the strictly allopathic (or whatever it's called in animal medicine) view of drugs and surgery as the cure for everything.

The author has hands-on experience with animal acupuncture, as well as alternative modalities such as herbs, nutrition and homeopathy. He also instructs the layperson how to perform a general physical exam, how to handle issues like old age, serious diseases and ultimately death with the proper dignity and perspective deserving of a furry family member.

It all boils down to how you feel about animals, I guess. My black lab Sugar Bear is my constant companion and has been since puppyhood, so I hung on every word. And yes, sometimes the best way to be a healer for your animal is to take them to a good vet!

Allen M. Schoen, D.V.M., M.S., author of "Kindred Spirits" has written a sensitive book that pulled me in from the beginning. I have to confess that I am a person who feels more in touch with animals than than I do with most people. I have enjoyed reading this book so far and would recommend it to any adult who enjoys understanding the complex relationship between man and the animals around us. It is easy to read and full of wonderful anecdotes from the author's experience as a vet.

I wish Dr. Schoen (which means 'nice' in German) was my little collective's caretaker. He has alot of experience and openess to a wealth of traditional, reeeeeeally traditional, and non-traditional health information. I think this book serves as an excellent introduction to alternative approaches for a variety of human-animal exchanges. My pets (and when I use the term 'pet', I mean animal companion) and I are always looking for someone to tell us we're not crazy to understand each others' miscellaneous languages and other communications. Dr. Schoen, the nice vet, would understand. ;-)

I received this book from a friend that knows me well. The introductory synopsis of Dr. Schoens Golden Retriever Megan, who he describes as his assistant, nurse, and helpmate, will reach the soul of any animal lover. If you truly have had an animal companion as a soul mate this book will be one you will prize in your collection and it may add to your knowledge of how to be a better friend. Bless Men like Dr. Schoen for sharing their enlightenment and helping bring us all to a higher plane of existence.

A friend sent me this book -- trying to comfort me after the death of my incredible 17-year old golden retriever, Sheba. The message is just what I needed now and I read every word. When others think grief over the loss of a "pet" is a little trivial -- the message of the book says otherwise! Sheba was lucky to have a vet who thinks along the same lines as Dr. Schoen -- and my only hope is that there are many many more kindred vets out there.