PUPPY LOVE: Dogs can tell and help when owners are sick, depressed

Pets can tell whether humans are sick or depressed and try to help us cope with daily activities by providing more love and attention. It turns out, dogs love their human companion deeply, if not more than we suspect.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - One pet owner, Patricia Marzec was struggling with her inoperable brain tumor. Her daughter, Jessica Vogelsang understood how dogs can become an inseparable, devoted companion.

As a hospice veterinarian, Vogelsang knew how pets need others there for them in near-death experiences and struggles. However, for two months, Vogelsang's golden retriever, Brody, began to accompany Marzec everywhere in their home until she died. Vogelsang knew that their pet understood her mom's struggles, and maybe even better than they did.

"He knew Mom was sick. He was with her 24-7. He was trying not to be too obvious, but Dad was on one side and he was on the other," shared Volgesang, the director of the Paws Into Grace in Southern California. She explained that Brody would always jump at her parents whenever they visited, but during that time, he did not. Her dog sensed that her mom needed him more than she did, which she was thankful for. Whenever he felt the woman was sad, Brody would lay at Patricia's feet or put his head on her lap.

Scientifically proven, dogs can determine when a person is sick, even with cancer, by sniffing them out, but more often through their body language.

"They recognize fragile, slumped over, not moving as well. That's how they read each other... They are great at it, and we are not," said executive director of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University, Dr. Bonnie Beaver.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'