Download The Underdogs Children Dogs and the Power of Unconditional Love Melissa Fay Greene 9780062218520 Books
Download As PDF : The Underdogs Children Dogs and the Power of Unconditional Love Melissa Fay Greene 9780062218520 Books
THE UNDERDOGS tells the story of Karen Shirk felled at age 24 by a neuromuscular disease and facing life as an immobile, deeply isolated and depressed, ventilator-dependent patient, she was rejected by every service dog agency in the country as “too disabled.” Her nurse encouraged her to raise her own service dog, and Ben, a German shepherd, dragged her back into life. “How many people are stranded like I was,” she wondered, “who could lead productive lives with a service dog?”
A thousand dogs later, Karen Shirk’s service dog academy, 4 Paws for Ability, is restoring broken children and their families to life. Melissa Fay Greene tells the stories of isolated children, struggling parents, and the marvelous dogs who gallop into their lives. Into these modern wonder tales, she weaves the latest scientific discoveries about the inner lives of dogs. It turns out that dogs really are doing the astounding things they appear to do, and they’re doing them for people they love. The frontiers of the human/dog bond are explored here with insight, compassion, humor, and joy. A cast of remarkable characters-scientists and felons, dog trainers and parents, children with disabilities and the great dogs themselves-together address questions about our attachment to dogs, what constitutes a productive life, and what can be accomplished with unconditional love.
Download The Underdogs Children Dogs and the Power of Unconditional Love Melissa Fay Greene 9780062218520 Books
"I swear Melissa Greene could write about sawdust and make it thrilling, but in Underdogs she has a sublime subject to match her captivating writing. I am an avid reader, and It is not often that a substantive non-fiction book is so entertaining, so moving, and so beautifully written. I laughed out loud numerous times, and fell in love with the dogs, the children and the families she profiles. In fact, her writing is so fresh and lively, there is not a boring moment in this book. But the biggest gift of the book is that it is truly inspiring without being in the least sentimental or simplistic. It became for me a potent antidote to the world news and the stresses of my day. It worked so well to lift my spirits that I didn't want it to end. It is one of those books, I would read again when I need a convincing reminder of the power of love."
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Tags : The Underdogs Children, Dogs, and the Power of Unconditional Love [Melissa Fay Greene] on . THE UNDERDOGS tells the story of Karen Shirk felled at age 24 by a neuromuscular disease and facing life as an immobile,Melissa Fay Greene,The Underdogs Children, Dogs, and the Power of Unconditional Love,Ecco,0062218522,Children with Special Needs,Dogs - General,People with Disabilities,Animals as aids for people with disabilities,Animals as aids for people with disabilities.,Children and animals,Dogs - Therapeutic use,Human-animal relationships - Psychological aspects,Pets - Social aspects,Service dogs,Service dogs - Training,Service dogs.,Service dogs;Training.,Shirk, Karen,BIOGRAPHY AUTOBIOGRAPHY / General,BIOGRAPHY AUTOBIOGRAPHY / People with Disabilities,BIOGRAPHY AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY,Biography,Biography Autobiography/People with Disabilities,FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS / Children with Special Needs,Family Relationships/Children with Special Needs,GENERAL,General Adult,HUMAN-ANIMAL RELATIONSHIPS,Non-Fiction,PETS / Dogs / General,Pets,Political Science/Public Policy - Social Services Welfare,United States
The Underdogs Children Dogs and the Power of Unconditional Love Melissa Fay Greene 9780062218520 Books Reviews :
The Underdogs Children Dogs and the Power of Unconditional Love Melissa Fay Greene 9780062218520 Books Reviews
- Here’s the thing while Melissa Faye Greene’s newest book, "The Underdogs," is filled with anecdotes about wonderful dogs, their trainers and owners, and the children they save, it is so much more than that. It’s an amazing crossover book with something—quite literally—for everyone. There are, of course, the dogs; there’s the fascinating story of their subtle intelligence and their new role as guardians of children with autism and other striking debilities; and then there’s Ms. Greene’s own role as a most compassionate observer. She’s a remarkable guide, taking us through a universe in which we are beginning to see ourselves less as masters and more as fellow-creatures. There’s a wealth of arresting detail that she synthesizes with humor and skill, and, finally, we find that we have joined the book’s families. Like them, we are left moved—even changed—by what this book and its writer have revealed to us.
- I swear Melissa Greene could write about sawdust and make it thrilling, but in Underdogs she has a sublime subject to match her captivating writing. I am an avid reader, and It is not often that a substantive non-fiction book is so entertaining, so moving, and so beautifully written. I laughed out loud numerous times, and fell in love with the dogs, the children and the families she profiles. In fact, her writing is so fresh and lively, there is not a boring moment in this book. But the biggest gift of the book is that it is truly inspiring without being in the least sentimental or simplistic. It became for me a potent antidote to the world news and the stresses of my day. It worked so well to lift my spirits that I didn't want it to end. It is one of those books, I would read again when I need a convincing reminder of the power of love.
- This book drew me in almost immediately. The stories in this book of damaged people whose lives have been totally turned around by wonderful, properly trained, loving dogs is so powerful and hopeful. The woman who founded 4 Paws 4 Ability is a true heroine who once she found her lifeline with a magnificent dog, worked wonders for others, tore down walls and did not take not for an answer. Bravo, Karen Shirk. I wish there were more in the world like you. And the dogs. I have always loved animals, but the dogs in this book are incredible and make you look into the eyes of your own "Lassie" to see how special they are. I thought the book might be drier with "dog" science in it, but each section on science or history is paired with with a personal story of how it works now for individuals, dogs and families
- I am not a nonfiction reader. As a lifetime lover of fantasy and science fiction, I really ordered this book mostly to support 4 Paws for Ability. This book may have converted me. I was immediately sucked in. Greene weaves the history of dogs, modern scientific studies, and stories from 4 Paws together seamlessly. As a parent waiting for our daughter's service dog (class of August 2017!), the stories of children that could not be reached by anyone until they met their furry best friend. I cried more than I would like to admit. Sometimes with joy, sometimes with sorrow, sometimes simply because Greene describes the isolation of a special needs parent so well that its like she is talking about me. If you know anyone who has a child with special needs, I urge you to buy them this book. Hope is hard to find sometimes, but it is so important. Thank you, Melissa Fay Greene, for writing this book. Thank you, 4 Paws for Ability, for doing what you do.
- Nor does the title convey the important work and contributions of this organization which trains dogs as service animals for severely handicapped children. Children greatly loved despite their challenges. Children who exhaust me just reading about their needs and behaviors. Parents who amaze me with how far they go to give their children --and themselves -- some semblance of a normal existence. And the amazing dogs who bring that indefinable and desperately needed something that brings relief, whether it is love, acceptance, even a good night's sleep. This book is educational and heart-warming and emotionally challenging, and evokes wide-ranging emotions as one is forced to examine what he or she might done under similar circumstances. From Karen's determined caregiver who forced Karen back into the world from which she had withdrawn after contracting a debilitating disease, to the marvelous German Shepherd Ben, whom she trained when no agency would match her with a service dog, and from that inauspicious beginning, to grow a business that would touch so many lives (dogs and humans), I remained riveted and awed and humbled throughout the entire book.
- If you love dogs this is a must read, I read it in one sitting, loved it!
Karen Shirk was 24 when she developed a neuromuscular disease that left her dependent on a ventilator and a wheelchair. Her nurse recommended a service dog to assist her and they then discovered that no agency was prepared to "waste" a dog on someone who depended on a ventilator.
Her nurse then suggested that Karen adopt a dog and train it herself, Ben, her German Shepherd got her out of bed and back to life.
Karen discovered that there were thousands of people being turned away and that not one agency trained service dogs for children. She decided that she would train 4 or 5 a year herself, not realising the impact and demand of her dogs.
4 Paws for Ability was born and 1000 dogs later the benefits have been astounding. The story also follows kids who have received one of Karen's dogs, from a children with severe autism or reactive attachment disorder to a child suffering from Fetal Alcohol syndrome - a first again in the service dog industry.
The author also delves into the origin of dogs, the DNA that shows up in certain breeds and all the theories surrounding dogs behaviour and abilities. Highly recommended.
