Kindred Spirits: How the Remarkable Bond Between Humans and Animals Can Change the Way we Live

by Allen M. Schoen D.V.M.

Treating animals just as any healer would treat human beings, Allen Schoen has become one of America’s most celebrated veterinarians. Kindred Spirits shares the transformative power of his remarkable methods, explores how alternative healing is revolutionizing his profession, and, in the tradition of James Herriot, shares heartwarming stories of animals and their caretakers who have deeply enriched each other’s lives. Through moving scenes–such as an ailing German shepherd who fights to stay alive so he can assist and comfort his ailing human companion–Schoen details the ways in which the human-animal bond can provide a wellspring of love and support, and outlines his own special prescription for improving the care we give our animals through adopting simple healing practices at home. A remarkable new synthesis of science and spirit, Kindred Spirits at last reveals the many ways our animal friends can help us lead happier, healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Dogs, Nature

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2001

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably closer to 2.5 or 3. I agreed with everything the author has to say, and I love that there exists in the world such a compassionate and evolved veterinarian. My rating reflects my low enjoyment factor when reading the book. There was just too much research and science statistics. I did enjoy his anecdotal stories, but these were sandwiched between very dull and dry science text. I found myself skipping through paragraphs and pages. You should definitely read it for yourself though, there are some great ideas being shared.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little too special.

[False · Rating 4 out of 5]

A veterinarian who firmly believes that animals can think and feel and in treating them according. I agree. A great read. Will I ever be discussing Chaos Theory and Black Holes with Boo Boo? Nooooo. Laughing.

[Cheryl L.E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the personal stories and the stories about client animals. Other parts were too "text booky" for me. I appreciate a little scientific input but this really pulled me out of the stories which is what I though the book was more about. Still, a worthy read for an animal lover.

[Jaiden Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and agreed with everything the author was saying one line in particular really stood out to me and it was “You may bury your friends’ bodies in the ground, but you bury their souls in your heart.”💕

[Bill Stanghon · Rating 5 out of 5]

cried on the fifth page lol

[Jo-jean Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about all the author's learnings and the changes he made in his life due to his openness to integrating those learnings into his personal and professional life!

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindred Spirits is about the author, a veterinarian, that explains the connection between humans and animals. He compares and contrasts the views of Western veterinary medicine and Eastern veterinary medicine. He also talks about his views on the feelings and emotions of animals and how that compares to other veterinarians views. Allen M. Schoen explores the physiological connection between humans and animals through research as well as his own experiences and also tells his views on how animals and humans affect eachother emotionally and physically.

I believe this book deserves 5 stars because for any person who really loves animals or want to be a veterinarian, like me. This book is really good at giving information about veterinary medicine that comes from a successful veterinarian himself. In this book there is a whole chapter dedicated to all of the different kinds of various treatments that he has come across in his career besides just Western medicine here in the U.S. "My quest for alternative methods and answers began with acupuncture and then led me to Eastern and Western herbal medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, chiropractic, and other healing modalities. I soon realized that there was not a single magic bullet, but many options that, when incorporated together, could help many more animals live longer, happier, painfree lives" (98 Schoen). In this, he explains all of the different treatments he has come across and talks about how each one has helped him in his career as a veterinarian and tells stories about pets he has helped as a result of these different treatments. I found this information very interesting because of my wanting to become a vet myself. This primary information he gives will help me in my future to become a successful veterinarian and will allow me to help many more animals. I also believe that others who have a great interest in animals such as I do will enjoy this book and be able to use some of the information he gives to allow them to be able to help their own pets as well as others.

I also believe that this book deserves 5 stars because it can appeal to all animal lovers who want the best life possible for their pet. As the author says in his chapter "Do Animals Feel Pain", "If animals feel pain, don't they feel pleasure? If animals feel pleasure, can't they feel love? If they have the same neurochemicals that induce emotions in humans, perhaps they share the same capacity for all emotions" (47). In this book, the author explores any research there has been to show that animals indeed do have feelings and emotions. Anyone who has felt the bond with an animal that he talks about in this book would have to agree that animals do feel pain and show emotion and feelings. I think that pet owners, or "human companions" as he calls them in the book, would love to read this book and know that there are people that are looking out for their beloved animals as Allen M. Schoen does by exploring the feelings of animals and finding how best to treat them.

I think that all pet owners as well as veterinarians should read this book to gain more insight into the world of animals and how they connect to the human world. The better we all can understand the minds and bodies of animals, the better we can learn how best to love and care for them as they love and care for us.

[Jackie Gamber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an endearing book for those who love animals. I find the title just a little misleading; although there are heartwarming stories of humans and their bond with animals, there is also a heavy dose of vet care alternatives and other potpourri. Still, it's always encouraging to read about others willing to see animals as brethren and friend.

[LearningMum · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is much in the way of uplifting, feel good anecdotes -- similar to a Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers' Soul, but with more substance. I especially enjoyed the Kindred Souls chapter in which he explores co-species connections. While much of the info in this book was not exactly news to me, I enjoyed the way Schoen told these stories and pulled it all together.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and opened my mind a bit. Made me want to give Belle lots of hugs! Definitely a book that I will pick up again down the road. Especially when I feel that I need a little reminder of how special co-species are and how much they add to our lives.

[Lisa Montanaro]

What a magical book. If you love animals and have pets, this book will resonate with you. It is an interesting combination of practical veterinary tips, beautiful inspirational stories about pets and their owners, and some mysticism built in about how animals and humans communicate and bond.

[Jadi Kindred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful. Love his quote, "Animals help us heal that crack, because the Kindred love we share with animals can regenerate that healing potential in all of us. This fills our cup with love and then we can share that love with others as it overflows out of our own cup."

[Ginger Essink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though slightly dated in the science, it is just a wonderful read about what we receive from our animal companions and what we give them, about the spiritual as well as the material. Beautifully written by a veterinarian who has a dog as a capable assistant vet.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book talks about the relationship we have with the animals in our lives and how we should enjoy every day with them. If you love your animal friends, this is a good read.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazng book

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned some great techniques I will use with my animals. Covers science to moral issues plus many touching stories from a vet's perspective.

[Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for animal lovers. Informative, deeply moving.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a person already have deep bond with my dog, this book is not much new. The good part is to provide good information of alternative medicine.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book and the stories about the bonds between humans and animals. It's a wonderful book that highlights the depth to which animals can feel.

[Lori Zavada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindred Spirits is one of my all time favorite books. Change the way you live. Read this book!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down! I would recommend this to anyone who is an animal lover and/or pet owner. It speaks to the beauty that is shared between animal and human.