When Dogs Heal: Powerful Stories of People Living with HIV and the Dogs That Saved Them
When Dogs Heal: Powerful Stories of People Living with HIV and the Dogs That Saved Them
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Lerner Publications
Annotation: A unique collection of portraits and personal accounts showcasing HIV-positive individuals who are thriving thanks to the unconditional love of their dogs
Genre: [Government]
 
Reviews: 3
Catalog Number: #616947
Format: Paperback
Copyright Date: 2021
Edition Date: 2020 Release Date: 03/02/21
Pages: 152 pages
ISBN: 1-541-58676-X
ISBN 13: 978-1-541-58676-5
Dewey: 362.19697
LCCN: 2019060014
Dimensions: 26 cm.
Language: English
Reviews:
Starred Review ALA Booklist (Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2021)

Starred Review Love, connection, and survival provide the theme of this collection of 20 profiles of people who are HIV-positive or who have full-blown AIDS. Those profiled represent a cross section of society: they're straight, gay, cisgender, and transgender; white, Black, and brown. What they all have in common, though, is the dog or dogs in their lives that they credit with having saved them from despair and even death, all through the canines' unconditional love. Each profile, told in the subject's own voice, is accompanied by a full-page color photo of the subjects and their dogs by noted photographer Freidin. The profiles themselves are unsparingly candid and some are painful to read because of the suffering they reveal, but it is the dogs that, in every case, bring healing, hope, love, and light to each of these memorable lives. The profiles have been collected by Dr. Robert Garofalo, an adolescent-HIV specialist who, himself, is HIV-positive and has founded a nonprofit charity called Fred Says, which supports those affected by and living with AIDS. The charity is matched in importance by the significance of this excellent book, which deals affectingly with a subject that remains too absent in books for young readers. It deserves the widest possible readership.

Kirkus Reviews

Learn how dogs were lifesaving companions to people living with HIV.This compilation of 36 personal essays features stories of the love, hope, and acceptance that HIV-positive individuals felt when a dog came into their lives. The interviewees are a diverse group in terms of age, gender identity, race, and life experiences, but their stories all have a similar thread wherein their lives were at a low ebb until they adopted a dog. The dogs provided a sense of purpose, a reason for living, and, in some cases, the motivation to improve the interviewee's situation. Each human subject and their canine companion are shown together in a full-page color photograph against a clean, white background followed by three pages of first-person text describing their stories. Queer, dog-loving photographer Freidin reflects in his introduction on the unconditional love he received from dogs, something that stood in contrast to negative judgment from humans, and his hope that these photo essays will overturn stigmatizing narratives about people living with HIV. Although the stories are uplifting and well written, the uniformity of the theme may become monotonous for readers who read it cover to cover, making it more suitable for dipping into and browsing by those seeking a compilation of true narratives that show the possibilities of life after an HIV diagnosis.Stories connecting a range of HIV-positive queer experiences with dog ownership. (resources) (Nonfiction. 15-adult)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2021)

Gr 8 Up-This book shares portraits and personal experiences of people who are HIV-positive. Each color photo of the individual and their dog is accompanied by a brief section of text. The text spotlights compelling subjects such as Amador, a Latinx man who decided to keep living because his dog Bella needed him to care for her. Amador expresses that he wants to help people in the Latinx community who struggle with the lack of support and education concerning HIV. Lynnea, a Black woman who learned of her positive status at age seven, discovered how to expect more from her relationships and leave her abusive partner by becoming the owner of a dog named Coconut. The wide range of people and stories depict themes of loneliness, addiction, shame, and isolation; each entry shows how having an animal to care for teaches someone the fundamentals of self-care and self-respect. Back matter includes a list of resources but does not include a glossary. VERDICT A unique collection that is unflinchingly honest and infused with hope. These valuable lessons of empathy, self-care, and acceptance will inspire all readers and will be especially encouraging for young people who are living with HIV. Aaren Tucker, Univ. of Illinois

Reviewing Agencies: - Find Other Reviewed Titles
Starred Review ALA Booklist (Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2021)
Kirkus Reviews
School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2021)
Bibliography Index/Note: Includes bibliographical references.
Reading Level: 7.0
Interest Level: 7-12
Lexile: 970L

The best medicine may not always be found at a pharmacy or in a doctors office. Sometimes it comes in the form of a four-legged friend.

Three well-known leaders in their fieldsaward-winning dog photographer Jesse Freidin, adolescent HIV+ specialist Dr. Robert Garofalo, and LGBTQ advocate and journalist Zach Staffordoffer a refreshing, beautiful, and unique portrait of HIV infused with a deep message of hope. Each extraordinary profile shows the power of the incredible bonds between humans and their canine companions, whether that means combating loneliness and stigma, discovering the importance of unconditional love, overcoming addiction, or simply having a best friend in a time of need.

When Dogs Heal shares the stories of a diverse set of people who are thriving and celebrating life thanks to the compassion and unconditional love of their dogs.

A portion of the proceeds from this book benefits Fred Says, an organization dedicated to financially supporting HIV+ teen health care.


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