The therapeutic goose
Science can't always explain why things happen, like why a wild goose would suddenly decide that he would allow himself to be petted by a man with terminal cancer. We know that animals are capable of providing more than just companionship, it appears they may have senses beyond what we'd believed.
Yes, this is a different blog item today, but I think it's one where we can all see one of life's miracles; the belief in life brought about by the friendship of a goose. The goose, a wild and feisty 30 pounder, attacks anyone who comes near it, but not Bill Lytle, who has terminal pancreatic cancer. Mr. Lytle took up daily walking around a lake near his home in Idaho and the goose suddenly decided he was a special person. The goose comes out to have his head and neck rubbed by Mr. Lytle, but if anyone else approaches, the goose attacks.
Walking along with Mr. Lytle or circling around him, the goose comes out to meet the walker each day and it is this unexplainable gesture that has provided the belief that life can go on a bit longer than the doctors predicted.
Do you have a pet? I've seen them in nursing homes where they are brought for visits and in psychiatric hospitals where they are a part of the ward. In each place, whether it's a dog, a rabbit, a cat or a bird, it has brought smiles and words of affection from the mouths of people who had ceased to interact with anyone. Eyes brighten, loving gestures are expressed toward the animal and we know that blood pressure goes down as joy goes up.
Consider our animal "therapists" when you think about alternative means of fighting the doom and gloom of the day or facing the anxiety that awaits you at work.
Related Topics: Finding Joy: A Mind-Body-Spirit Guide, WebMD Video: Can Your Furry Friends Help You Avoid Allergies?
Yes, this is a different blog item today, but I think it's one where we can all see one of life's miracles; the belief in life brought about by the friendship of a goose. The goose, a wild and feisty 30 pounder, attacks anyone who comes near it, but not Bill Lytle, who has terminal pancreatic cancer. Mr. Lytle took up daily walking around a lake near his home in Idaho and the goose suddenly decided he was a special person. The goose comes out to have his head and neck rubbed by Mr. Lytle, but if anyone else approaches, the goose attacks.
Walking along with Mr. Lytle or circling around him, the goose comes out to meet the walker each day and it is this unexplainable gesture that has provided the belief that life can go on a bit longer than the doctors predicted.
Do you have a pet? I've seen them in nursing homes where they are brought for visits and in psychiatric hospitals where they are a part of the ward. In each place, whether it's a dog, a rabbit, a cat or a bird, it has brought smiles and words of affection from the mouths of people who had ceased to interact with anyone. Eyes brighten, loving gestures are expressed toward the animal and we know that blood pressure goes down as joy goes up.
Consider our animal "therapists" when you think about alternative means of fighting the doom and gloom of the day or facing the anxiety that awaits you at work.
Related Topics: Finding Joy: A Mind-Body-Spirit Guide, WebMD Video: Can Your Furry Friends Help You Avoid Allergies?
6 Comments:
I read about this amazing goose and the terminally ill man. I think it is a wonder!
What fun for Mr. Lytle to have this goose befriend him and add the qualities of fun and wonder at this time in his life.
I am currently without a pet after losing 2 in the last 2 years: one cat was the grandmother to the other and one lived 20 years and the other lived 18 years. Ironically, I have my own pancreatic issues and am waiting to see when my next surgery will be. I will have to be hospitalized for 10 days and afterwards I can't wait to get another cat. I need the company and I need something to take cuddle up with and to take care of!
Tasker
I agree with you about the bias or stigma surrounding most of the psychiatric/psychological disorders. We still treat those with depression or anxiety disorders as though all they need to do is "pull yourself together" and, like magic, it's done.
Often, however, even when treatment is sought, it rarely includes psychotherapy because, somehow, professionals and patients alike have come to believe that one little pill does all the word needed. I guess we need a campaign for therapy as well.
Well, it put the wrong post response here.
Good Luck with the surgery, Tasker, and with finding your next "therapist."
I hope your expertise can help me with this question, since no one else can? I have been on Paxil a avey low dose and I love it, I am traveling and going back to college and I feel so much calmer than I have ever felt. I have one major drawback, how do you manage to lose weight? I am wondering how do you lose weight and keep it off and still take paxil? I have joined weight watchers and purchased an excercise bike, but still no sucess? what can I take to help me lose weight that would not interfere with the paxil? Please help me solve this, I am getting married next year and I am having so much difficulty losisng 60 pounds. Help!!!!!!!!!!
Please visit our Anxiety and Panic Disorders board with your questions about medications. You may also find our Diet and Nutrition group of boards helpful with your weight loss goals!
- WebMD Blog Admin
Anonymous, talk to your doc because this is a problem with some of the SSRI meds. Your doc may be able to prescribe something, in addition to the med you're taking now, which will help with weight loss.
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