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The greatness of a nation and its moral progress
can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
Mahatma Gandhi 1869 – 1948

Doctors in Fur Coats: The Miracle of the Human–Animal Bond
 

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 Click cover for large image.
  Compiled by Alan Blain Cunningham PhD, DVM, MD
  Drawings by Arianna Alexis & Lisa Hull. Back Cover Art by Arianna Alexis                    
  Copyright October 2008  List Price $24.95   Soft Cover 8.5 x 11  256pp  Many Drawings.  
  Agreka™ Books ISBN 1-934243-04-3  978-1-934243-04-6
  Library of Congress Control Number: 2008933567

  Introduction  HIV/AIDS_Patients_and_Animal_Companions  TOC   The Author   

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              See  Books About Precious Pets for more books by this author. 

Dedication

This book is dedicated to pet therapy, and to those that pioneer this wonderful aspect of science, medicine and social well-being – both two and four-legged.

Introduction

Animals possess an amazing ability to heal by making people feel wanted and needed. It is also recognized that they can detect biochemical changes in people to forewarn of seizures, asthma, cancer, heart problems and many more events. They can also recognize when someone is depressed, ill or physically injured.

Society must acknowledge and utilize these gifts from animals, because they can cure when medical doctors and drugs can’t. They are doctors in fur coats if we allow them to be.

The human animal bond is a very real, powerful and tangible force. Let us protect, Promote and appreciate it so that we can become a better world. A kinder world.

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HIV/AIDS Patients and Animal Companions
by Alan Cunningham

Dr. Kristen Ries, at the University of Utah Medical Center, specializes in the treatment and care of infectious diseases, more specifically HIV/AIDS. She has been an instrumental pioneer in this area since the AIDS epidemic started in 1981, and she is highly regarded by many Utahns and Americans
as an angel.

Dr. Ries is also a true animal lover and respects the human animal bond. Many times she has written doctor’s orders that allow patients to keep their animals with them when their landlord won’t allow pets. “They must have the true friendship of their animal companions at a very tough and lonely
time,” she argues.

Some would discourage the presence of animals around people that are highly immuno-suppressed. But to Dr. Ries their value often outweighs the argument. “Besides,” she adds, “animals are much cleaner than most people.”

As a Masters of Public Health student at the University of Utah, Dr. Alan Cunningham works with Dr. Kristen Ries at the University of Utah Medical Center Emergency Room testing and counseling patients about HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), which causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome.)

An estimated 25% of HIV positive people are unaware that they are infected. Since the incubation period may last for ten years or longer, the possibility of spreading the virus without even knowing that they are infected is a significant concern. Therefore it is hopeful that HIV testing will become more of an accepted protocol for medical doctors to provide to their patients as part of the routine diagnostic work up, especially for high risk patients.

Dr. Cunningham is also a student of Dr. Jann DeWitt, clinical psychologist, AIDS counselor and advocate. She is a professor at the University of Utah. Many of her patients rely on animal companionship to support them through difficult times. Dr. De-Witt appreciates the value of the human animal bond and has been a positive force in the creation of this book – Doctors In Fur Coats.

Thank you, Dr. Ries and Dr. DeWitt.

. . . Read more in the book.

Table of Contents

Introduction ........................14
HIV/AIDS Patients and Animal Companions ........................15
Remembrance of Leo K. Bustad, DVM, PhD ........................16
I Looked For a Message ........................20
Angel ........................23
Angel’s Eyes ........................27
Angels of Katrina ........................29
Time Will Make it Right ........................32
Asia, Beware of my Sleeping Dog ........................33
Aspen ........................36
Softly Falling Like Snow (In Memory of Aspen) ........................39
Long Dusty Road ........................40
Nathan’s World........................41
Remembering Barbaro: All guts, all heart ........................43
Berg ........................45
The Bridge ........................47
Bruiser, the Cat ........................49
Tribute to a Best Friend ........................53
Bruiser ........................55
This Buddy wins hearts, minds of all ........................56
My First Best Friend ........................58
Carbon ........................61
Cali the Orphaned Kitten ........................65
Cayes ........................67
Dog’s Prayer ........................69
Pets as therapy ........................70
The Cruelest Miles: A Tribute to the Sled Dogs
Togo and Balto, Two Siberian Huskies ........................72
Daisy ........................77
Danny: The Best Dog ........................81
Dillan ........................82
Dogs Give Clearfield Kids a Reading Partner ........................82
How Reading to Rufus Helps Kids’ Self-Esteem ........................85
Dolly ........................87
If Dogs Were The Teacher ........................89
My Partner Dustin ........................90
The Cat’s Prayer ........................93
Ellie Mae’s Story ........................95
Therapy Kangaroo ........................96
Foster and Willie ........................97
My Friend ........................99
Gypsy ........................101
Invisible ........................103
Greyfriar’s Bobby ........................105
Brenda and Hans ........................106
A Guide Dog Story ........................106
‘Hoop’ offers healing, hope: Utah’s newest pet hero has touched countless lives
The Bridge ........................110
The Bridge Builder ........................111
Did toxic smoke make Jake sick? ........................112
9/11, Katrina canine hero loses his battle with cancer ........................112
Love ........................114
Janice and Cali: ........................115
Two Cats That Shared a Sweet Message of Companionship ........................115
Jasmine ........................117
Four Feet in Heaven ........................119
Jet ........................121
Joanna and Jake ........................122
Animal therapy is purr-fect ........................123
Kahlil, Our Burmese Cat ........................126
Kaylee – Pet Partner team makes time to care ........................129
I Stood By Your Bed Last Night ........................130
Kitty Kat ........................132
Lillie ........................133
The Story of Lou ........................134
Lou’s Song to Kathy (Colors of Your World) ........................136
‘The animals Peter loved are safe ........................137
The Mattress ........................139
I Am Your Dog ........................141
Making a Difference ........................142
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me ........................143
Meg, The Cat ........................145
Molly ........................149
A Song for Molly ........................150
Murphy, the Great Dane ........................151
Nala ........................152
Nina ........................154
Don’t Cry For Me ........................155
Ring Around The Horsey ........................156
I Only Wanted You ........................159
The Old Yellow Dog ........................160
One Step ........................161
A Day in the Life of Oscar the Cat ........................167
Pluto: A Dog and His Boy ........................169
The Little Red Fox ........................172
Rex: Injured war vet, dog starting over again ........................174
Rose: Canine teams share special bond in Iraq ........................175
She Is Gone ........................177
Just a Dog ........................179
Sarah, The Gift ........................181
Service dogs can learn new tricks:
Group teaches owners to train their canines........................183
Shep ........................185
St. Peter ........................187
Shadow ........................188
Stanley Tough as Tools ........................190
When I am Old ........................192
Swasha ........................193
Winter of Life ........................194
Testa and Todd ........................195
Testarosa - An Unlikely Therapy Dog ........................196
Tex ........................198
Only a Dog ........................200
Thora: Roses at Her Feet ........................202
Titanic Dog: Perils of the Sea ........................204
Tizzy ........................205
Truman ........................207
The Journey ........................209
Two Toes and Others ........................211
Remembering War Dogs ........................212
Monument heralds important work canines did in past conflicts ........................212
The Fourth Day ........................215
Willie ........................217
The Butterfly ........................220
Zinnias........................221
Winnie and Her Seeing Eye Person ........................222
A Boy and His Dog ........................223
“Service dogs ‘heel’ lives” ........................227
Spring Begets Them All ........................229
Yoshi ........................231
The Zoey Project ........................233
Vet offers ways to cope with pet’s passing ........................237
Midnight Draws Nigh ........................238
Rainbow Bridge ........................241
Rainbow Bridge ........................244
Goodbye My Good Friend ........................245
About the Author ........................247
Grief Counseling Pet Loss Support Hotlines ........................249

Illustrations
Angel by Arianna Alexis ................22
Pug with Guardian Angel by Lisa Hull ................28
Asia by Lisa Hull ................35
Aspen by Arianna Alexis ................39
Proud Pony by Lisa Hull ................42
Bruiser by Lisa Hull ................50
War Dog Memorial by Arianna Alexis ................54
Ever Faithful by Arianna Alexis ................63
Cali by Arianna Alexis ................64
Cayes by Arianna Alexis ................66
Daisy by Arianna Alexis ................76
Danny by Arianna Alexis ................80
Miss Velvet by Arianna Alexis ................88
Scotia and Ellie Mae by Arianna Alexis ................94
Nala by Arianna Alexis ................98
Gypsy by Arianna Alexis ................102
Greyfriar’s Bobby by Lisa Hull ................104
Rainbow Bridge by Lisa Hull ................111
Jasmine by Arianna Alexis ................118
Jet by Arianna Alexis ................120
Kahlil by Arianna Alexis ................127
Kitty Kat by Arianna Alexis ................131
Lillie by Lisa Hull ................133
Lou by Arianna Alexis ................135
Meg by Arianna Alexis ................146
Oscar by Arianna Alexis ................166
Pluto by Lisa Hull ................171
Alan holding CC by Arianna Alexis ................178
Sarah by Lisa Hull ................180
Shadow by Arianna Alexis ................189
Peace Rose by Lisa Hull ................202
Willie by Arianna Alexis ................219
Tim and Yaz by Arianna Alexis ................226
Yoshi by Arianna Alexis ................230
Zoey by Arianna Alexis ................235
Running Free by Arianna Alexis ................239
Rainbow Bridge by Lisa Hull ................240
Letting Go by Lisa Hull ................245

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The Author

  Dr. Alan B. Cunningham graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a Masters Degree in Respiratory Health Care Science. He also graduated from Utah State University with a Ph.D. in physiology and later from Oregon State University with a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. He recently completed his final year in medical school at the University of Health Sciences Antigua, and graduated
Magna Cum Laude.

Dr. Cunningham was recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association as National Outstanding Veterinarian of the Year for 2006, and was selected for inclusion in the 2006 “Guide to America’s Top Veterinarians.” He is also the recipient of Best of State Utah 2004, 2005, and 2006 for Animal Care in his work as a veterinarian in pet loss and grief support.

He also serves as a member of FEMA with the National Veterinary Team and helps to provide medical care for injured animals during natural disasters such as Katrina. Currently he works as a full-time veterinarian.

Presently a student at the University of Utah, he is majoring in the Masters of Public Health program. He also volunteers and heads the Utah pet loss hotline as a certified pet loss grief counselor. In addition he volunteers as an advocate for “end of life choices” for humans. He serves as Utah chapter president. He is also an active member of UAATA (Utah Animal Assisted Therapy Association) and he is on the Utah Board of Directors for Club Vision, an unique Utah organization that provides social activities for the blind. Dr. Cunningham also reads from his books at the blind center and sings songs he has written. In the future he would like to become a hospice care physician.

Furthermore, he actively campaigns for a commemorative postage stamp and national war memorial for the War Dogs in Vietnam. These valiant warriors gave their lives to save American Soldiers. Nearly 4,000 canine soldiers fought in Vietnam but less than 200 returned stateside. Most were left behind to an uncertain future with the South Vietnamese or euthanized. Many of the dog handlers requested to bring them home because they owed their lives to their canine soldier counterparts. Unfortunately, they were denied. These soldiers desperately want to pay tribute to the War Dogs of Vietnam with commemorative postage stamps and memorials. The postmaster general has denied this request twice and presently a third push is on for a commemorative war dog stamp. Dr. Cunningham urges citizens to write their congressman in behalf of these heroic canine soldiers. This spring, he unveiled, at his own cost, a war dog memorial at the Utah Veteran’s Memorial Park; the first war dog memorial to be allowed at a veteran’s cemetery in the entire United States.

Dr. Cunningham is also the author of twelve other books: Sleeping With Angels: A Veterinarian’s Sacred Bond of Animal Companionship. On Angels Wings: Personal Stories About the Passing Away of Beloved Animal Companions. Small Wonders: A Personal Journey to the Wonders of the World. On
Angels Wings II: Personal Stories About the Passing Away of Beloved Animal Companions. Unspoken Messages: A Personal and Universal Portrayal in the Perspectives of Communication. Fragile Tears: Stories & Guidance for Youth on the Passing Away of Beloved Animal Companions, Inside This Fragile Tear: Art, Poetry, Stories, and Songs In Memory of Lost Animal Companions, My Little Angel Girl: Poetic Memories of Angel & Other Animal Companions, Stepping Stone Journey: A personal Short Story about Detours in Life, Friendships, and Self Discovery, Silent Voices: Stories and Recognition for War Dogs of Vietnam and Canine Soldiers Today, Goodbye My Good Friend: Memories of Lost Animal Companions and Loved Ones, I Walk Alone: Reflections of a Veterinarian.

Dr. Cunningham is a lifelong resident of American Fork, Utah. alancpug2002@yahoo.com

 Dr. Cunningham is the author of many books, all of which you can read about in Precious Pets.

 Read more on Dr. Cunningham.

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Resources to help with pet loss
Alan Cunningham offers tips and contact information on his Web site, http://www.petangelsutah.com

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