Rating: 
Summary: Someone Finally Said It !
Review: After reading only the first few chapters of this book, I was passing it on to others to read. I found myself quoting it to those around me. I have felt for a long time that I was one among only a few who made such connections to animals. I can't believe someone else could really understand that side of me. I would recamend this book to anyone who feels a bond between themselves and the others who share this planet with us. It is not a bad choice if your trying to persuade others as well to share in your view. I can't wait for another book from this author!
Rating: 
Summary: Inspiring stories
Review: After reading this book and the unbelievable effects that Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Homeopathy use has on our beloved pets, I started taking my 7 1/2 yr. old Rottie to Acupunture sessions. His whole attitude about life is better thanks to this book and acupuncture! There are stories that will make you shake your head in amazement or make you cry. I highly recommend this to all animal lovers!
Rating:
Summary: A Phenomenal Perspective
Review: All the other rave reviews are true - you can see that this book has struck a tremendous chord in readers for its humor and perspective on the animal/human bond. I would like to point out that Dr. Schoen does have a very holistic approach to veterinary medicine, having succesfully utilized both traditional and alternative methods of treatment. While other volumes exist on homeopathy, acupuncture, and herbal treatment for animals, this book might be useful in terms of how the author came to use those treatments and his ideas on how they make work in the bodies of our animal companions. Also of interest for the reader is the author's intense self-reflection on the human history of attitudes towards animals throughout time. I thought Dr. Schoen did an excellent job explaining the many paradigms that have existed throughout time (largely centering around human dominion over the animals, how many have believed they have no emotions in order to justify atrocities, etc.) and how we live with those schools of thought today in terms of our laws surrounding animals as well as the prominent methods of treatment of animals both in the home and on the farm. His having to exhaustively fight/acquiese to dominant theory during his veterinary training and early practice is an interesting sociological anectdote. This book is not only a well-written, feel good volume of one man's journey in life treating and living with animals, but also exists as a thought provoking volume questioning our societal attitudes towards animals.
Rating: 
Summary: Dubious information, egotistical tone
Review: Dr. Schoen never met a form of "alternative" therapy that he didn't like. I'm all in favor of keeping an open mind and exploring non-traditional forms of healing. On the other hand, I think that your mind shouldn't be so open that your brain falls out. Extraordinary claims should require extraordinary evidence. Just once, I'd like to hear Dr. Schoen say, "This form of therapy is complete clap-trap. I don't think it works, and it might even be harmful". Instead, Dr. Schoen embraces everything from acupuncture, to Chinese herbs, and all things in between. And on top of that, the author's tone is one of self-aggrandizement and condescension toward his "less-enlightened" colleagues. I'm a life-long animal lover and pet owner. I volunteer at the local animal shelter. I really disliked this book.
Rating:
Summary: The Question Is: So What's New Here?
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: The Question Is: So What's New Here?
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Moving, Funny & Life Enhancing
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: The Remarkable Bond Between the Author and Himself
Review: I am an animal lover and owner of three dogs. I also practice alternative medecine and my dogs are in my office with me. I received this book for my birthday and do not know what to say to the woman who gave it to me. I found it boring, repetitive and full of "aren't I wonderful" stories about the poor author struggling through vet school, tortuing animals and gee whiz not liking it, then, golly, figuring he was going to darn well do something about it. OK, he went to acupuncture school before a lot of others, but he is so pro acupuncture I find it tedious. He mentions other alternative therapies only briefly, and I could tell he was not well versed in them. He goes on and on ad infinitum about how other methods "work well in conjuntion with regular veterinary care". Well, isn't that rocket science? A poorly written, egocentric story about a vet and his "magic dog". Give me a break.
Rating:
Summary: Megan - proof again there is magic in Gold!
Review: I received this book from a friend that knows me well. The introductory synopsis of Dr. Schoen�s 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.
Rating:
Summary: A thoughtful ramble through an enlightened vet's mind
Review: 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. ;-)
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