Animals as Teachers and Healers: True Stories and Reflections

by Susan Chernak McElroy

"In their innocence and wisdom, in their connection to the earth and its most ancient rhythms, animals show us a way back to a home they have never left."

So says Susan Chernak McElroy, a cancer survivor who credits much of her triumph over terminal illness to the love of the animals in her life. From the courage of her dog, Keesha, who taught McElroy how to face challenges with grace and acceptance, to the uncanny victory over leukemia she witnessed in a foundling kitten, McElroy offers a unique and compelling chronicle of her healing journey. In Animals as Teachers and Healers, McElroy shares her story along with other true testaments from many other souls who have been touched, for a moment or for a lifetime, by the loving energies of animals.

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Dogs, Nature, Spirituality

252 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1995

About the author

Teacher, master storyteller, and author of the classic New York Times Bestseller, Animals as Teachers and Healers: True Stories and Reflections, Susan Chernak McElroy's writings are published in more than twenty languages worldwide. She is a nationally recognized, passionate, and original voice on the subject of our emotional, biological, and sacred relationships with animals and wild nature.

Susan is a dynamic and gifted presenter, and a powerful catalyst for personal growth and change. A long term-survivor of advanced cancer, she speaks from a rich body of experience, reminding us that our evolutionary journey toward becoming more fully human beings has included thousands of years of intimate connection with animals and the living Earth.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan McElroy’s writing may just be my favorite addiction of all time. I consume her books faster and with more uninhibited joy than almost anything else in my life. The way that she- and, in the case of Animals as Teachers & Healers, her many brilliant co-authors- describe the interconnectedness of living things and the mysterious power of animals is utterly intoxicating. It’s like she’s putting words to the very content of my bleeding-heart, animal-loving, tree-hugging soul.

Dramatic and cheesy? Yes. Overstated? Absolutely not.

[John Orman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, a book that makes us think of animals in a more enlightened and subtle way!

From her stories, McElroy determines the evidence that animals can not only teach us, but can heal us of many ills. Based on the creatures living at her Oregon farm, BrightStar, she gleans many universal truths from her animal adventures.

Many of the stories involve dogs, and they elicited many memories of dogs past and present--maybe they are indeed angels in disguise! So I especially liked the story of the German Shepherd cocooning its body around a toddler during a house fire.

[Chanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In their innocence and wisdom, in their connection to the earth and its most ancient rhythms, animals show us a way back to a home they have never left."

[Gina Briganti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some authors have serious skills when it comes to pacing and segues. Susan Chernak McElroy is one of those authors.

Reading about the ways that Keesha, McElroy's canine companion who passed away from cancer, helped the author through her own cancer, was a real treat.

Stories of wolf medicine in "Facing Up" moved me to tears. One story told of a horse physically placing himself between his owner and an abuser attempting to hit her. Horses are loyal and gallant; this story highlighted their true natures. In chapter three I cracked up when I read about skunk medicine. "Vigil of the Cemetery Dog," is a story unlike any I have read. It rang true and expanded my belief in what is possible. "Sadie's Tear" provided comfort to a grieving daughter and taught me a new, deeper way to view compassion and the way that guilt and grief can falsely color our experiences.

Wolf was a star of the book for me, perhaps because wolf is my family and personal totem. One story, about a scared cancer patient finding her voice through wolf, brought tears of joy. I could clearly feel that I was in the room with her when she growled at her doctors and told them that they would listen to what she had to say about what was happening in her care. Go, wolf!

There was a dark side to the book, too. Wolves were exterminated in the U.S. when they were seen as a menace. I struggle to understand the cruelty people inflicted on those wolves. I understand that a strong predator can become a danger in great numbers, but the control of those numbers can certainly be accomplished in dramatically more humane ways.

Perhaps best of all there is a bibliography where I discovered five more books I'm looking forward to reading. Talk about a book that keeps on giving! She's crossing her fingers that there are more five-star books on the list.

Thank you to those of you who read along with us! If you have a suggestion for our next buddy read, please do let us know!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an emotional ride, to be sure, as so many of the stories are so deeply touching. I can absolutely relate to the feelings described in this book and completely agree that there is much we can learn from animals, young or old, tame or wild. Any hiker who has stumbled across a deer (or any wild animal) and freezes, instantly, in their tracks and holds their breath as they stare eye-to-eye with such a beautiful, wild creature understands how truly amazing animals are, even if they do nothing out of the ordinary. I thought a lot about the animals I have come into contact with and took the time out to realize what I'd learned from each of them. There have been so many lessons, some I overlooked until this book opened my eyes to them.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book of true stories about how animals have helped people. My mom found it for me at the library once and I love it! It taught me how intelligent animals are and how sensitive they are to us. They are smarter than we humans usually give them credit for. I would definatly recommend this to everyone! Maybe it could help lower the rate of animal cruelty if almost everyone read it! Animals really are more intelligent than we believe and they should get a chance to show us, if we give them the oppertunity!

[Luminea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was Susan's first book, the one that touched so many people and launched her success as a writer in this area. Interestingly, because I read her other books first, I found that I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of the others. It was more of a collection of many other people's stories (and some of her own woven in of course). I think I prefer her other books that delves deeper in to her own personal lessons and the messages she feels animal shave to convey to us. Still it was a good read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the few books I have read twice -- once in 1997, shortly after its publication, and again more recently when I rediscovered it as I was sorting through an overcrowded bookcase. This collection of stories reflect emotional depth rather than surface sentimentality and will resonate in any heart that has ever truly loved an animal.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book that captures all of life's struggles (human and animal alike) in a gentle, non-denominational, purely spiritual way.

[Morgan Lindey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful good inspirational read! I would recommend to any helping professional or animals lover.

[C. (Comment, don't blank click reviews). · Rating 3 out of 5]

While we are anxiously waiting for our cat, Conan, to be home; I read several books I bought when I studied animal communication. Those who prayed and will pray for his safe return and answer me about this: thank you!

I thought this was an intuitive teacher's manual. It isn't and many contents depressed me. I hope her other two books, queued with reverence, mesh with me better, whether or not they are what I seek. Nobody wants euthanasia stories! Always keep death topics to a minimum, period! Other than the topic of guarding and speaking as spirits, highlight stories about being alive. “Animals As Teachers And Healers” turned out to be a compilation Susan Chernak McElroy solicited around the world of astonishing, miraculous, life-affirming experiences with animals. Sometimes it is about strong love shared, sometimes animals were wild or not that person's pet.

The fact that animals have equal intelligence and awareness might have been new to the public in 1996. I'm glad this book did well but tired of sentimental story after story. There are people lagging behind the reality of how animals are, who need to attain the truth and who would marvel at these stories. The puffer fish approaching someone to remove a hook is a stunning centrepiece and so are Susan's inspiringly-varied routes to becoming cancer-free.

I am giving three stars to respect this book's importance and the high mission in making it. Despite appreciating that goal and agreeing what she wanted to accomplish needed contributors; I couldn't help reacting similarly to artwork with squiggly lines, earning a fortune. Susan shared valuable personal perspectives and narrated well but I can't deny a “Is this all it is?” feeling about a book of remembrances. Perhaps her succeeding two books will be closer to what I sought.

[Callum McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you relate to the spiritual and religious elements woven into many of the testimonies in this book or simply enjoy reading about the beauty of the bond between man and animal, you can't really fail to have your heart warmed by this book.

There are stories of animals physically protecting humans from danger, comforting them emotionally in times of need, and inspiring them through their own resilience, restoring a broken owner's will to live.

Beyond this, there are stories of love for animals that continues to aid humans long after the creatures' deaths through the likes of dreams and visions, which was an intriguing insight into other people's comfort methods and belief systems which I found an interesting read. I also enjoyed The Wolf, a section that explored the danger of attaching mythology and projecting our own fears onto animals.

[Laura Patiño · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro es profundamente conmovedor. Es peor que Hachiko. Lloré quizás un 70% del libro completamente identificada con todo lo que decía. Cualquier amante de los animales (y los que no lo son) debería leerlo . Este libro te enseña que amar y respetar a los animales es lo más humano que podemos hacer.

[Graceann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this confirmed my belief that animals have as much or more to teach us as we do to teach them. All we can do is teach them to "sit up," or perhaps do something a bit more challenging, such as what service dogs do for us. They teach us love, compassion and devotion.

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for animal lovers everywhere. It really shows the connection between owners and their beloved partners in this life that is so fleeting. Great stories that show their devotion to us and us to them.

[Susana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!! For those who love animals and firmly believe in their healing power..definately check it out!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

thought provoking, particularly for those who always felt there may be a little more to their relationship with pets than is culturally acceptable.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essays of the positive impact of animals in the lives of humans.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

so satisfying to read these stories

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me view situations in different ways. I've always felt animals have innate ways to help humans.

[Nez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books. It has some truly amazing and beautiful stories about animals and the profound role they play in our lives.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a beautiful book that will surely make your eyes wet.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories were too far fetched for me, but some of the stories were very good, and some of the stories made me cry. It's a hard book to read if you have recently lost a pet.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book after my car was diagnosed with cancer. It would be a good book for anyone to read.

[Shonessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! It spoke volumes to me. I have given this book to a few friends who have enjoyed it as well.

[Denise Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the author, I do believe that animals contribute very powerfully and positively to our lives. This book was a fun and easy read that used many examples to show the influences animals can have on humans, as well as non-humans. The author mixed her own lived experiences with animals, especially with how they helped her to overcome a difficult struggle with cancer, with stories from other contributors. Overall, it was refreshing to read about the healing powers of our furry friends. Having just had foot surgery, this was exactly the book I needed to read because my little vizsla is curled up next to me reminding me that I am healing and will be enjoying walks with her soon.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you grew up with animals (be it dogs, cats or animal farms), you will know eventually that they are really awesome sentient beings. This book shows more examples of scenarios that I would never think of and it makes me having more and more respect towards animals. Very recommended.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book about the symbiotic relationship between animals and humans, but so sad how we treat them.

[Sofia]

Un compendio de historias que nos hacen reflexionar sobre el rol espiritual y curativo de los animales. Si bien algunas interpretaciones me resultan muy "antropormizadas" y tengo una tendencia mas bien cientifica a explicarlas, igualmente creo en la esencia de cada racconto.

[Raven Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something that anyone who love's animals has to read.