Do animals have special powers? Healing powers?

Now I'm not talking about animals literally curing diseases or anything, but my dog seems to have healing powers and the empathetic sense when I'm feeling sick. Some of you know that I've been battling ill health for some time. Well, I have a little Maltese dog that instantly knows and rushes to my side when I'm feeling bad. He curls up against me, making sweet cooing like sounds. Just his presence makes my pain more endurable.
Anybody ever experienced this? Or am I imagining things? Why does an animal's love soothe pain and suffering?

Yes I believe so. I think some people might disagree. But personally I have this really strong emotional bond with my dog too, so when I get very sad (for example) my dog (he's a poodle mix) comes up to me and just for no reason cuddles  with me and sleeps next to me. It makes me feel so much better, kind of like a friend that doesn't talk to you but is just there for the emotion.

I've also heard that in some ways dogs are used as therapy treatments at some hospitals and clinics for the elderly and children to which they feel better and such.

I don't think a dog can cure a diesease such as cancer for example, but I definately do think that the presence of a dog or any animal can change the mind set of how a person is during their emotional distress time or during their sickness to which they feel better and perhaps get cured because of how their mindset is.

Nobody wants to be alone.  Animals heal by removing loneliness and providing their own special life energy to us.

I wonder how that came about?  I assume it works similarly for all mammals.  I'll bet we make them feel good when they're sick too.

I don't honestly know if they have healing powers, but one thing is certain.  Animals relax me a lot.  Playing with my kitties is definitely the best therapy when I am sad or stressed out.

tink

Quote from: Nero on September 13, 2007, 01:07:32 AM
Do animals have special powers? Healing powers?

Some of you know that I've been battling ill health for some time.

yes. they have huge amounts of their brains devoted to being exceptionally social. if you raise them well, they will reward you far beyond the effort you put into it: they become part of your team, which is priceless. (dang it, mastercard!)

good luck in your struggles, Nero. i am sending you best wishes, and brain waves of health, and comfort, and hope.

-ell

Quote from: Tink on September 14, 2007, 10:51:05 PM
I don't honestly know if they have healing powers, but one thing is certain.  Animals relax me a lot.  Playing with my kitties is definitely the best therapy when I am sad or stressed out.

tink

good therapy is healing

Quote from: Tink on September 14, 2007, 10:51:05 PM
I don't honestly know if they have healing powers, but one thing is certain.  Animals relax me a lot.  Playing with my kitties is definitely the best therapy when I am sad or stressed out.

tink

hey princes if u spend more then 1k in vacines & sh#t, they better do somethin 4 U.

Quote from: Chris on September 15, 2007, 02:52:11 AM

Quote from: Tink on September 14, 2007, 10:51:05 PM
I don't honestly know if they have healing powers, but one thing is certain.  Animals relax me a lot.  Playing with my kitties is definitely the best therapy when I am sad or stressed out.

tink

hey princes if u spend more then 1k in vacines & sh#t, they better do somethin 4 U.

Well Chris, actually I would spend much more on them.  They give me peace and don't talk, cry, or whine.  They are not familiar with the term melodrama, so yeah...

tink

I do think certain animals like cats and dogs have the power to heal.  Cats can sense when their owner is sad and can come to the rescue to be cuddled with and love.  It's more like a preventative thing so that's less stress on the body.  I had a cat that when she was a kitten she hopped in my lap and cuddled and went to sleep because she was afraid of the thunder storm and ever since she was always by my side.  I forgot what happened to her though.  >.>