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Leo & Friends: The Dogs with a Healing Touch
‘I knew dogs could make a difference to the children’s lives. I knew it the moment I watched a little boy, exhausted by pain and sickness, stretch out his hand to touch my dog’s paw, and then…he smiled.’
Lyndsey Uglow has endured and overcome mental health challenges and much personal pain, including her young son’s battle with Leukaemia. Lyndsey knows only too well the emotional rollercoaster experienced by parents supporting their children through critical illness, but she also knows just how much the company of dogs can alleviate just some of their worry and pain.
The healing bond with dogs that helped her, she now shares with others – in the shape of a dynasty of exceptional Golden Retrievers, including the incredible Leo. Since 2012, Lyndsey has made it possible for therapy dogs to visit more than 10,000 children, many critically ill, bringing smiles of simple joy and a sense of normality to lives ruled by pain, sadness and uncertainty in paediatric intensive care, cancer wards and palliative care.
Leo has also faced his own battles. After suffering a serious injury on a beach run, he was saved by a pioneering technique which restored him to full health for the sake of the children who were missing him so much.
This is Lyndsey and Leo’s story and how they have brought the extraordinary healing powers of dogs to others; while sharing the stories of just some of the thousands of children for whom a soft paw or wet nose has brought comfort, care, laughter and joy at the darkest of times.
Lyndsey Uglow has endured and overcome mental health challenges and much personal pain, including her young son’s battle with Leukaemia. Lyndsey knows only too well the emotional rollercoaster experienced by parents supporting their children through critical illness, but she also knows just how much the company of dogs can alleviate just some of their worry and pain.
The healing bond with dogs that helped her, she now shares with others – in the shape of a dynasty of exceptional Golden Retrievers, including the incredible Leo. Since 2012, Lyndsey has made it possible for therapy dogs to visit more than 10,000 children, many critically ill, bringing smiles of simple joy and a sense of normality to lives ruled by pain, sadness and uncertainty in paediatric intensive care, cancer wards and palliative care.
Leo has also faced his own battles. After suffering a serious injury on a beach run, he was saved by a pioneering technique which restored him to full health for the sake of the children who were missing him so much.
This is Lyndsey and Leo’s story and how they have brought the extraordinary healing powers of dogs to others; while sharing the stories of just some of the thousands of children for whom a soft paw or wet nose has brought comfort, care, laughter and joy at the darkest of times.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2021
3 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 27, 2021
What can I say. Except wow!! This is an excellent book.
From personal experience I know the healing power of a dog. They can't cure you but they bring such joy.
Dogs do have an instinct. I loved this book
It's inspirational.
From personal experience I know the healing power of a dog. They can't cure you but they bring such joy.
Dogs do have an instinct. I loved this book
It's inspirational.
September 20, 2023
What a gorgeous heart warming life affirming testament to the magic that is the bond we have with our canine companions!
This book ripped my heart out, but put it back in after giving it a warm hug! I laughed, cried and said a little prayer that my dogs never die because if I can sob my way through losing a dog in a book, lord help me when that day comes!
Pets as therapy is an amazing thing, I see it in person at work every Monday when a lovely collie called Inka visits my workplace, he puts a smile on the faces of both residents and staff! Keep up the amazing work!!
This book ripped my heart out, but put it back in after giving it a warm hug! I laughed, cried and said a little prayer that my dogs never die because if I can sob my way through losing a dog in a book, lord help me when that day comes!
Pets as therapy is an amazing thing, I see it in person at work every Monday when a lovely collie called Inka visits my workplace, he puts a smile on the faces of both residents and staff! Keep up the amazing work!!
October 2, 2021
This is an inspiring and heartfelt read.
It is an incredibly poignant memoir of Lyndsey and how an unexpected life event opened up a desire to give back. It was this deal,she made with herself, that opened up the path to find her true passion- animal assisted therapy.
Tissues at the ready. I cried many times.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you!!
5/5
It is an incredibly poignant memoir of Lyndsey and how an unexpected life event opened up a desire to give back. It was this deal,she made with herself, that opened up the path to find her true passion- animal assisted therapy.
Tissues at the ready. I cried many times.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you!!
5/5
December 14, 2021
It was so dull! This wonderful dog, with his awesome talents is bogged down in some tedious an uninspiring writing. Shame.
May 21, 2022
Beautiful book, Harrowing in parts but will stay with me, ive ordered a physical copy, just shows how intuitive and empathetic dogs are and how much good they do, loved it
May 27, 2023
If you are a dog owner just read this. It was just such a special book. Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for an advanced copy for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews