My healing with Dogs

Hello, my name is Julia! I was born in Southern Germany in 1975, I led a fairly traditional, conservative life. I worked as a grammar school teacher, enjoyed the stability of routine, and had never imagined the unexpected twists that would shape my life. In 2014, my world changed drastically when I was diagnosed with severe arthrosis throughout my body. Suddenly, I went from a life of movement and independence to one bound by crutches, struggling with pain that became a constant companion. As a consequence of my chronic pain, I developed severe depression and lost hope to ever be happy again. Over the years, my condition deteriorated to the point where I was classified as severely disabled and unfit to work. Every step was agonizing, and despite two hip replacements in 2021 and 2022, which helped me regain the ability to walk, I continued to live with unrelenting, chronic pain.

Then in 2023, seeking warmth and a change of pace, I arrived in the Terra Canis Dog Sanctuary at Tamera as a volunteer. I had felt an intuitive pull towards dogs, and being with them in this beautiful, sunny environment gave me a sense of comfort I hadn’t felt in years. What happened next was astonishing—I noticed that after just three weeks, my pain was gone. I was pain-free for the first time in nearly a decade, something that I hadn’t thought possible. When I returned home, the pain returned after a few weeks, yet when I went back to Terra Canis six months later, I experienced the same profound healing effect. Again, after three weeks, I was pain-free. I couldn’t ignore what was happening, and I knew I needed to understand it. I began researching the therapeutic effects of spending time with dogs, looking into studies and speaking with experts. I became fascinated with the idea that dogs, with their unique empathy and ability to tune into human emotions, could play a transformative role in healing. Now I regularly return to the Terra Canis Sanctuary to volunteer because it leaves me feeling stronger, healthier, and remarkably free of pain, both physically and emotionally. Dogs have transformed my life, making me more active, joyful, and relaxed, which has strengthened and improved my relationships also with my human family and friends.

Adoption is a beautiful way to give yourself and a dog a second chance at happiness. I’m dedicated to sharing the stories of the dogs at the Terra Canis Sanctuary, helping them find their forever homes, so we can make room for more dogs in need of love and care. For more information, feel free to reach out to me on Facebook, Instagram, or Telegram, and I’ll be happy to provide you with more details