The Healing Power of Animals
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."- Anatole France.
I dedicate the following post to my fellow veterans and the dogs who served beside them.
On Thanksgiving evening, I had the privilege of watching the 2022 movie Dog starring Channing Tatum. The principal character is a former Army Ranger, Jackson Briggs, discharged from the service due to a traumatic brain injury and PTSD he incurred because of his time in-country fighting the War on Terror. Briggs wants another assignment in the war but was found unfit for duty due to his wartime injuries.
Briggs learns that his former Army buddy, Riley Rodriguez, died in an auto accident. Briggs's captain offers him a mission that, if completed successfully, he would recommend him for re-entry into the Army with orders for Pakistan. The mission: transport Riley's service dog (named Lulu) from Fort Lewis, Washington, to Nogales, Arizona, to attend Riley's funeral. He is then to bring Lulu to White Sands Missile Range, where the Army would euthanize her because of her aggressive nature, as a result of her own trauma experiences in Afghanistan. Briggs accepts this challenge as his path to active duty.
Jackson Briggs quickly learns that Lulu does not trust him, even though they served together. Their adventures brought laughs, and I leave it to you, my readers, to watch the film to learn more. Eventually, Briggs earns Lulu's trust. The most poignant scene in this film occurs when Briggs and Lulu are staying the night in a motel. Briggs becomes triggered and is in pain from the PTSD and TBI. Lulu, who is lying on the bed, enters the bathroom and lies on top of Briggs to calm him through the morning.
Briggs recovers without the use of his medications, and the two become bonded for life. He and Lulu arrive at the funeral just in time for Lulu to lie alongside Riley's boots. After the funeral, the pair heads towards White Sands and parts ways. Briggs looks in the rearview mirror, sees Lulu in anguish, backs up, and rescues her from her fate. Briggs forfeited his opportunity in Pakistan when he realized Lulu had saved his life that night in the motel. At the end of the movie, he journals about those events. I highly recommend this movie with a feel-good ending.
Slow Mo
So, why share this plot summary? At the moment Lulu comforted Briggs, the scene elevated my spirits. I have been a witness to an event like this. In previous posts, I shared about my collaboration with Warrior Canine Connection through the service dog yoga class I offer monthly. Many times in our classes, the service dogs in training who are present do exactly what Lulu did for Briggs - lie on top of or next to a veteran in a class. Through their intuitive healing nature, these dogs sense distress and respond. A combination of love and training facilitates these actions. I heal every time I bear witness to these events.
The next day, I experienced the healing power of animals - I love synchronicity. Judy and I visited the Animal EDventure Park in Boynton Beach, Florida. Animal EDventure is a privately owned animal rescue and public educational facility. At the start of our tour, we hand-fed goats, donkeys, cows, and oxen. We learned about the lives of camels, monkeys, big cats, and many other animals in residence at the park. However, my most incredible healing moment came during the kangaroo encounter.
Our guide took us into a pen where at least a dozen young kangaroos hopped around our midst. We were able to pet and take pictures with them. Judy and I paid for a one-on-one encounter. For about five minutes each, we held and cradled a nine-month-old baby kangaroo. I showered this baby with hugs and kisses. Immediately, I could feel my grief (of my mom's recent death) wash away. I was at peace, and as Anatole France said, my soul awakened gloriously. At the end of the tour, we were able to pet Slow Mo the sloth (such a soft baby). That, my friends, is the healing power of animals. My heartfelt thanks go to that baby kangaroo, Slow Mo, and Lulu for these precious moments. Until next time -
Namaste,
Tim
P.S. All pictures in this post are of my friends at Animal EDventure Park