Service Animals Books

Siegel progresses through the families of drugs one by one, showing how the effects of plants, herbs, and chemicals are all similar even between different species - yet all of them find an urge to partake in some of them. A multitude of personal and third-party research adorns the book to back up his assertations. This book is an excellent reminder that drug policy must take into account that many animals (humans included) are hard-wired to seek highs of one sort or another, and that simply banning a substance will not solve the "problem."

Ronald K. Siegel, Ph.D, a psychopharmacologist at the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA School of Medicine, has written a truly mind-boggling (quite literally) book about what he believes to be the fourth strongest drive in the human animal: that of intoxication. What? The struggle for intoxication is a drive, just like hunger, thirst, and sex? You bet, and Siegel has the research to prove it. Which probably make no difference to people that still connect "drugs" with strung-out heroin junkies who do just as much damage to themselves as to their friends and family.

Well, such stubborn people need to do some serious rethinking. Because what good is science unless it questions and investigates? But to make Spiegel even more controversial; he also experiments on animals when investigating why animals (and remember, the human being is an animal, too) choose to become intoxicated by various means. And also when they choose not to. These experiments clearly show how all animals use narcotics. So in other words, man is not alone in this struggle for a changed state of mind.

So what does this all mean? Well, it shows that the so-called War on Drugs is as futile as it is pointless, since there will always be and always has been people who choose to subject their bodies and minds to different drugs that the state or ruling class has decided should be illegal, and it also shows that it's indeed possible use narcotics and still be a very functioning member of society. Not all drug users end up as pathetic heroin junkies. The politics of drugs are extremely complicated, but arguing strictly from emotional points of views while refusing to accept new and mind-blowing ideas is, to put it simple, quite stupid.

Of course Siegel doesn't imply that everyone should do as much drugs as possible all the time whenever they feel like it. But what he does indeed do is giving all those millions of users of legal drugs - prescribed medication, coffee, cigarettes, and so on - something to think about, and he also clearly shows how all those Just Say No and other anti-drugs campaigns do more harm than good. After all, it's a human drive to become intoxicated, so why should some campaign manage to erase this drive? It's not going to happen, and people need to understand that.

Our culture encourages and even romanticizes the use of alcohol and cigarettes - two of the most deadly drugs man has ever come up with - and large corporations make billions of dollars from prescription drugs that are often a whole lot more harmful than the strongest your local dealer can provide you with. This is hypocrisy to such an extent that it's almost impossible to even comprehend, and Spiegel and his team of researchers therefore deserve all the credit they can get for trying to enlighten people they way they do. But just like any other type of fundamentalism, the anti-drug people will probably ignore Mr. Spiegel and all his knowledge, and this will in the long run do more harm to the human race than all the drugs in the world could ever do.

This text was recommended reading for my Divemaster(YMCA) course and I found it very informative. ANY diver should be aware of the first aid proceedures presented in this text but is an absolute MUST read for any Divemaster or other dive professional.

As a PADI SCUBA instructor, I recommend this book to my students. The writing is at the level that non-physicans can readly understand the problems and treatment.The style includes excellent photos of underwater life so that recognition of problems critters may be identified before contact, or recognized for diagnosis should problems arise. A big cheer to Dr. Aluerback for his knowledge of the field, the arrangement of the book and the usefulfnenss of the water proof pages.

What's the difference between owning a painting and a pet? Legal and social issues involved in pet ownership are treated to a scholarly discourse debating philosophical ideas involved in pet ownership in People, Property Or Pets? Essays come from lawyers, scientists, psychologists and students alike, examining legal guardianship, property status, and animal rights.

this book offers a refreshing and unique set of essays written by Harvard students, and reflected on by true experts. I found the arguments riveting--they pushed me to contemplate the status of animals in our society from the perspective of law, biochemistry, philosophy and even veterinary medicine. a recommended read for anyone wishing to challenge their intellectual understanding of the human world's interaction with our fellow species.

Although many of us view our pets as "children" we tend to blame behavior issues on them rather than addressing the root problem. This book provides wonderful insight into how to help our pets with sensory regulation. I've used some of the methods on my dog to help calm her when she can't seem to self-soothe, and the results have been astonishing.

I enjoyed reading this book as there were many helpful suggestions as well as cute pictures for examples. Highly recommended.

This book would fit in many types of classrooms from elementary science to
applied biology. I originally read it to get background on organic horticulture. I now use its excellent charts and illustrations to show my clients why the products from Urban Worms Organics work so well.

excellent reference and for teaching. Great photos and text. This a full view of life in our soil and their relationships. Very readable.

Understanding Dogs is an important and fascinating contribution towards the body of knowledge about human dog relationships, (also having implications for our relationships with other animals). This book is an essential fund of information and reference material for those researching human animal relationships. It is also a book for anyone who works with or appreciates the companionship of dogs.

Clinton Saunders introduces the unique combination of his meticulous sociological discipline, his familiarity with the published and ongoing relevant research, and his own personal, pragmatic and sensitive observations. He balances hard science with a respect for subjective experience. His work validates the importance of being open to the exploration of this exciting area with curiosity, scientific accuracy, respect and affection. His work speaks from his head and his heart. In his final sentence he warns, "Our relationship with animals can only speak to us if we are open to listening."

Dr Mary F Stewart DVM, MRCVS Senior Research Fellow University of Glasgow Veterinary School

I used to not understand dogs. They always seems to say the same old things, like "woof-woof" or "bow-wow" or "arf." But now, after reading "Understanding Dogs" I have edifying conversations with Fido about Derrida, Foucault, Marx, and that particularly dense philosopher, Gritzerus. As Fido always says, "bark bark, woof woof, bow wow, arf, grrrrl." HAHAHAHAHAHA! What a sense of humor!

This is the only good resource on Vegetarianism as a movement, with in depth information on ideologies,leaders' strategies, etc. Very helpful if you are doing research on the movement when used along with Maurer's dissertation.

I loved this book, even though I am not a vegetarian. This is because Dr. Maurer's writing style is excellent; she knows how to convey what she's writing about without making it sound like a lecture. It reads like a real book, supplying many facts, insights and ideas that propel you from one page to the next. It's not preachy at all, she just tells you what vegetarianism is about, and what life is like for vegetarians (The answer to that would be pretty much no different from a meat-eater). There were a lot of interesting little tidbits in this book, like how many Seventh-Day Adventists are vegetarians, and how many Yoga practitioners are also vegetarians. I also liked reading about the efforts of individuals and groups to convince food vendors (Restaurants, school lunchrooms, etc.) to offer meatless choices as part of their menus. So, if you're at all interested in the subject matter, this would be the best place to start learning more.

On a walk through the jungle, the reader hears various animals and wonders, am I being followed?

I borrowed this book from the library for my two and half year old son and he LOVES it so much I am buying it. The pictures are some of the best in children's books. The text is simple and rhythmic. It works the imagination. It's impossible not to read in a sing-song manner more difficult not to act out. My son even repeats the story on our walks, making the trees his jungle. He reads it to me and anyone who dares enter our home. I can't imagine a child who would not love it. It is sure to instill a love of reading in your child.

We checked this book out of the library and then purchased one when we could not renew the library's copy yet again. Our two-and-a-half year old daughter asks for it every night. The illustration is stunning. There is a wealth of visual interest and information on every page -- new animals to find (and new questions to ask) for many readings. The "What do you see" question in each setting (jungle, mountain, river) encourages her to point out and name or ask the name of everything on the page. And as a parent, I have not tired of the repeated reading of this favorite book.

As an RN,Trauma Nurse Specialist, I found this book to be well written and highly informative. With the speed of modern travel it's also a great reference to have for injuries and illnesses that can occur in far away places that one doesn't see often, or ever in your "home" ED.

As a field geologist, Gulf War veteran and former EMT, I can say that this book is the most comprehensive text I have ever seen regarding outdoor dangers, survival and wilderness medicine. If you work outdoors or spend a lot of time recreating outside, this is a MUST HAVE book!

An excellent book for those interested not only in wolf conservation, but for those interested in the ongoing debate over the role of humans in the natural community. The various authors each bring in uniqe perspectives and ideas about what should and should not be human responsibilites towards shaping the ecosystems we live in. I was impressed with the great variety of opinions and ideas that are in this book regarding wolf conservation. This book definitely made me think about my ethical, social, and political values and will no doubt continue to help shape these values in the future when I re-read the essays in here.

Wolves And Human Communities: Biology, Politics, And Ethics is a compendium of informative commentary by leading contributors and experts in the field of wolf restoration activities in the American west. These essays address complex ethical, biological, legal, and political concerns surrounding wolf reintroduction. The contributors specifically comment on the social, cultural, and ecological values that are a part of the on-going national debate. Specially addressed are the views of stakeholders in the Adirondack decision; historical trends in public perception of wolf restoration; the legal and policy context for species preservation; biological and political lessons gleaned from the Yellowstone, Isle Royal, and Great Lakes states wolf restoration experiments; and the meaning of wilderness in both humans the wolves. Wolves And Human Communities is a seminal, significant, highly recommended contribution that will be greatly appreciated by environmental and animal rights activists, ecologists, as well as wolf population and habitat restorationists.