“Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse,” by Carlyn Montes De Oca (vegan), Part 1 of 2

Carlyn Montes De Oca (vegan) is an international speaker from the United States. Her book, “Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse: An Animal Lover’s Guide to a Healthy, Happy, and Extraordinary Life,” reached #1 on Amazon’s bestseller list and earned her recognition as an award-winning author. “Animals can be some of the most powerful health and wellness allies that we could ever have, but it’s up to us humans to pay attention, to listen, and to strengthen that animal-human bond.” “Right before the pandemic, I adopted a dog here in New Mexico that was part of a very horrible hoarding situation. She was traumatized. She had been attacked by a mountain lion. It took six months of me focusing on her and focusing on her needs, to help her become, really, the best dog she could in this life. She transformed into this amazing, friendly, loving, just wonderful family member. And so had I. So, that’s one of the things I see about the power of the animal-human bond.”

As an acupuncturist, Mrs. Montes De Oca discusses the integration of holistic health advice with the animal-people and human bond. “Science has shown us that if you have a bond with your animal friend and they allow it, picking up an animal or just petting them for a short amount of time will diminish your blood pressure and will bring in some positive hormones, like oxytocin, to help you feel a sense of wellbeing. And that all is of great benefit to the heart. In Chinese medicine, we talk a lot about the importance of a connection to nature. And that these animals could, in many ways, be the bridge that connects us to nature of the outer world, what lives beyond us.” “They’re touching, they’re feeling. They are in the now, we’re usually in yesterday or tomorrow. But if we go into that experience, there’s all sorts of positive things that could be helping us.”