Healing
Dogs: One of the Best Medicines in the Naturopathic Formulary
“Love is the greatest force in the universe,” said Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I can attest to that when it comes to my loving dog, Luca—whom I refer to as “Dogtor Luca.”
When I decided I was ready for another dog many years ago, I wanted one who could come to the clinic with me. I repeatedly read that golden retrievers make the best therapy dogs. A vet friend said, “The unconditional love that emanates from a golden retriever is rare on this planet.”
“Dogtor Luca,” our Chief Morale Officer (CMO), turned out to be the best clinic associate I have ever had. I do believe that dogs are one of the best medicines in the naturopathic formulary.
Tender Moments in the Treatment Room
A female patient who was close to Luca came in the day after her own dog had been put down. Dogtor Luca cuddled her on the couch in the consultation room. When it was time to move to the treatment table, Luca—after years of watching me work on patients—got up on his hind legs, put his paws on her belly, and smiled at her. That was the most tender moment I have ever had in a treatment room. As a testimonial for him, she wrote, “We know he knows how to do Paws-On Reiki! LOL.”
During the extended lockdowns in Portland, Oregon, my single female patients begged for him to be at their appointments. That was the only cuddling they received. He always had so much oomph when his patients came in the door. One patient even pleaded with me to have him there on her birthday.
One day, I was treating a severely depressed patient, and she relaxed deeply on the table. As an empath, Luca soaked in the peace, fell asleep, and started snoring loudly. All of a sudden, the patient’s joy burst forth in the biggest laughter I had ever seen from her.
Grief Counselor
When my mother died a few years ago, Luca cuddled with me on the couch whenever I was sitting there. When I cried, he licked the tears off my face. I was happy to give him the title of the “most popular provider in the clinic.”
When we moved to Arizona from Oregon, I knew he missed his regular job.
Dogs are such intuitive creatures. At one point, while living in a nice neighborhood in Portland, we came across a very charismatic neighbor known as the Bernie Madoff of the neighborhood with multiple felony convictions. It was so interesting. Luca, only about five months old, completely avoided the creep’s attention and socialized with the landscaper next to him. I told my friends, “It takes a criminal record for Luca to not like someone.”
I am a big believer in the power of animals to heal us. Aside from being my clinic associate, Luca has been my personal trainer, friend, child, hiking buddy, and social coordinator.
If you are interested in having me write an emotional support letter for you and your pet, or exploring whether you need a service animal for a disability, please let me know. I am happy to help. Contact me at Scottsdale Holistic Medicine: 928-862-2914.
Intuition: The Guiding Light of Healing
Have you ever felt divinely guided to a person, healthcare provider, or place? How did it work out for you? We are here to grow, so whatever the outcome was, I hope growth came out of it.
Years ago, a suicidal teenager found my website in the middle of the night and said, “Mom, this is the woman who can help me.” I was amazed by that. Together, we helped her overcome significant depression.
In my own life experience, I’ve faced more challenges when I ignored my instincts. How do you recognize intuition? It often comes with a sense of peace.
Dreams
Dreams can speak to us intuitively. When it comes to dreams, there are different tenors. Some dreams help us process life events, while others provide guidance about what’s next or offer insight into decisions. I highly recommend writing down your dreams if you want to connect with your intuition. Journaling about your dreams and life experiences can help you uncover which dreams carry messages. Carl Jung’s book, Memories, Dreams, Reflections, explores his life and conversations with his colleague Angela Jaffe. Automatic writing and paying attention to our dreams guide us to our subconscious and reveal truths about situations.
Intuition and Your Body
Your intuition also communicates through your body. Years ago, after a difficult experience in my practice, my bookkeeper said, “You have to start listening to the signs in your body when making decisions. Does the hair rise on the back of your neck, or does your gut contract?”
Laura Day’s book, Practical Intuition, explores ways to access our intuition. Another insightful book is The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals that Protect Us from Violence, by Gavin de Becker. Growing up in a home with domestic violence, de Becker turned lemons into lemonade. He has had an accomplished career protecting famous people, including serving in the Secret Service. He guides readers to distinguish between unreasonable anxious fear and well-founded fear, explaining what I would call intuitive martial arts. Having worked with crime victims myself, I’ve seen what Gavin witnessed: many times, women override their instincts because they were taught to be nice.
In Christianity, intuition is often seen as the voice of the Holy Spirit, angels, or Jesus himself. Whatever your faith or spirituality, knowing that the guiding light of peace and truth can lead us to healing is a foundational belief that can lead to greater health and fulfillment, even amidst the darkness of the world.
In my practice, I use visualizations during acupuncture to help guide people to their own subconscious answers. If I can support you in this, please don’t hesitate to call me at Scottsdale Holistic Medicine: 928-862-2914.