Encouraging Others
LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. Psalm 30:2 (NIV)
Physical therapy is not on anyone’s bucket list unless you are really into pain. But we all know that recovery often requires stretching outside of our comfort zone. Linda S. Clare (All God’s Creatures) shares what she learned from a therapy dog—an unforgettable lesson.
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After major shoulder surgery, I contacted a physical therapist. I wasn’t exactly looking forward to the weekly appointments—a friend had warned that painful exercises with colorful stretchy bands awaited me. I grumbled going into my first PT session but was greeted by the therapist’s assistant; a beautiful golden retriever named Annie.
Despite my lingering shoulder pain and stiffness, Annie the Greeter Dog instantly put me at ease. I stroked her soft, reddish-gold fur, gazed into her deep brown eyes, and could almost feel my blood pressure lowering. Then my therapist led me down a hallway, and Annie followed, plopping down in the treatment room’s corner as I lay back on a padded table.
Annie slept when the therapist demonstrated helpful shoulder exercises I should do. But whenever I stretched my shoulder farther or tried a painful maneuver, Annie jumped up and poked her wet nose into my palm, as if trying to comfort me. Week by week, Annie and I got to know each other. I learned her favorite spot to scratch for a belly rub, and she learned which exercises gave me the most trouble. After a couple of months, I had made significant progress and worked those stretch bands harder, just for her. I was sure I was Annie’s favorite patient.
When I told the therapist, she smiled. “All my patients think Annie loves them best.” I was crestfallen, until I thought back to the first appointment, when I was in near-constant pain and my arm was as stiff as a toy soldier’s. Because of Annie’s encouragement, my shoulder movement was getting better all the time and I was much stronger. Modern medicine cures many things and physical therapy is vital to the recovery process. Still, I wouldn’t trade Annie’s gentle nature and wet-nosed support for all the stretchy bands in the world.
Annie’s encouragement (even if I really wasn’t her favorite) reminded me that I can do the same thing: bring healing and help to others I encounter, through uplifting words and kind actions, every day.
Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing me to this point in my life and all You’ve done for me. Please let me be an encourager to others and learn to love as You love me.