Afternoons with Puppy: Inspirations from a Therapist and His Animals
By Aubrey H. Fine, Cynthia J. Eisen
Afternoons with Puppy is a heartwarming account of dynamic relationships and outcomes involving a therapist, his therapy animals, and his patients over the course of almost two decades. It is a narrative of Dr. Fine's experiences and the growing respect for the power of the animals effect on his patients and himself.
Review Clinical psychologist Fine (The Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy) and Eisen (literature, Nazareth Coll.) here collaborate on a book that is partly a treatise on the ways dogs, birds, and even lizards and fish can be used in therapeutic settings; partly a primer on the life lessons that animals teach; and partly a paean to Fine's pets. Fine sees his animals as "co-therapists" whose quiet presence and nonjudgmental demeanor make his patients comfortable, encourage them to confide, learn patience and self-control, and feel needed. The authors recount many heartwarming and heart-wrenching success that were initiated by Fine's birds and dogs, particularly Puppy, an abused golden retriever that he rehabilitated. Throughout, the writers expound on the virtues animals teach, e.g., "keeping life simple," "learning how to fail," and "shaking it off," which humans would do well to emulate. A good purchase for public libraries. --. About the Author Dr. Aubrey Fine, a clinical psychologist and a professor at California State Polytechnic University, is an internationally renowned expert on Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). He is the editor of the classic book on the subject, the Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy (2000) and has published other works in the areas of parent/child relationships, learning/attention disorders, and sports psychology. Cynthia J. Eisen teaches literature and mentors freshmen students at Nazareth College.
Memories Recently, I had the pleasure of reading Afternoons With Puppy by Dr. Aubrey Fine. I found it both entertaining and poignant. As a dog lover, it made me remember all the happy times I have had with my pets, but disconsolate at their passing. This is a book worth reading. Thanks Dr. Fine for helping old memories to resurface. Rudi Gomez Afternoons with Puppy What an inspiring book! Dr. Fine delights the readers with stories that demonstrate the compassion and intuition of animals in a therapeutic alliance with people in pain. The healing and growth that occurs as a result of the collaboration between Dr. Fine and his 'assistants' serve as a reminder to us all of the powerful positive impact of our four legged friends. afternoons with puppy Afternoons With Puppy leaves you feeling uplifted! Fine allows the readers to get a glimpse into how he incorporates the animals in his therepy. The stories in the book are truly heart wrenching. As I read the book you could see how important a role animals can play in our lives. So many lessons can be learned from them (which Fine helps us understand). The book is well written and should be read by all pet lovers!
