The Proof is in the Poodle: One Veterinarian's Exploration into Healing

In her youth, Donna Kelleher, DVM, spent her Saturday mornings picking stones from horses' hooves and learning about plants. While digging through the earth and soaking medicinal leaves, the lessons from her teacher began taking root. ''Roasted dandelion is the best medicine,'' said Iris, the neighborhood healer, before administering a straw-yellow tea to her cat, Tinkerbelle.

Since those Saturday morning lessons in nature, Kelleher has spent nearly two decades exploring what it means to find true healing, combining her conventional veterinary training with holistic treatments. What she's learned along the way is that animals need inspiration to make choices; as these stories prove, the resiliency of these pets have shaped her life as much as her treatments have shaped theirs. A reminder of the physical, emotional, and spiritual strength in us all, The Proof Is in the Poodle embodies the restorative power of hope.