Any hospital worth its mortar believes in the healing power of pets -- that's why you see so many therapy dogs padding down the hallways and into rooms, brightening the days of their occupants. But the nurses at a Kentucky hospital took that a step further. They tracked down and brought a man's dog into his room after the frail, 73-year-old patient whispered to a nurse that he missed his dog.

The results were stark.

"A complete turnaround," said Mary-Ann Smyth, president of the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter, told Today.com. "He's speaking, he's sitting up, he’s eating. He doesn't look like the same guy."

The story is just as incredible as his recovery. The man, James Wathen, had been taken to the hospital weeks earlier and was not doing well; his dog, Bubba, missing an eye and his bottom row of teeth and with no one to care for him, was also taken away and placed in a shelter.

Nurses now believe Wathen fared so poorly in the hospital in part because he was mourning his dog. Incredibly, they believe the dog was doing the same thing. Both had stopped eating.

"The dog quit eating a week ago, which is very strange," Smyth told Today.com. "The dog didn’t know where James was and James didn't know where the dog was, and believe it or not, they both stopped eating at about the same time."

Tracking down the dog, a Chihuahua, had proved to be a challenge. Phone calls finally revealed that Bubba went to the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter and was then placed with a foster family. Concerned about Wathen's condition, health care workers scrambled to get the dog OK'd for a visit. When they brought Bubba into the hospital, they knew they had done the right thing.

“He was so sad at first. We had him wrapped in a baby blanket and he was shivering,” Smyth said of the dog. “The minute we got about 20 steps from this guy’s room -- I kid you not -- his little head went up. His eyes got real bright and he was like a different dog.”

When Bubba and Wathen were reunited, Wathen "slowly perked up," according to Today.com, during the half-hour visit. By the second visit, dog and owner had completely transformed, with Wathen sitting up in bed and talking, with his little dog scurrying around him.

"I hope this story will show to people the tremendous difference that animals can make in people’s lives," Smyth told Today.com. “One of the biggest problems we face is the way some people think of animals. People just don’t see animals as creatures and beings, they see them as property.”

“I hope people understand they’re not 'its,' they’re 'beings.'”

Most pet owners have a hard time leaving their dogs behind every day to go to work, but for Lisa Owen-Jones from Stoke Newington, north London, leaving her dog Florence home alone was just heart breaking. The 20-year marketing veteran decided her Wire Fox Terrier and their happiness came first, so she quit her job and opened her own coffee shop where she is able to bring her dog to work every day.

“When I got Florence in 2012 it really was love at first sight. Florence came everywhere with me, on the tube, to the pub, I’d have a beer and Florence would have an ice cube,” said Owen-Jones. “Over time I found it harder and harder leaving her to go to my day job. Florence would sit next to the door with sad eyes, I felt so guilty.”

Whenever the pet owner had free time to spend with her dog, she tried bringing her to all the places she would normally go alone, but many of those places didn’t allow dogs.

“I was tired of waving outside coffee shops trying to get the attendant to notice us. I got tired of standing in the rain drinking my coffee, there was no reason why we couldn’t go in we just weren’t allowed. I started thinking about ways I could spend more time with her and Scooby’s was born.”

Scooby's Boutique Coffee Bar is located in Muswell Hill and it serves drinks and snacks for humans and four-legged friends alike. All two- and four-legged legs customers are welcome.

On the menu you will find dog-gestives and puppaccinos, doggy lollypups, cheese bone biscuits and flap Jack Russels.

Owning and managing her own business has not been an easy task, but Owen-Jones doesn’t regret leaving her corporate job behind to do what she loves most, spend time with her dog. The coffee shop has been well received by local residents and it is a popular spot to hang out.

Animals in need of rescue and a new home can be found all around the world. And though the number of unwanted, neglected and abandoned animals never ceases to increase, there are also more and more kindhearted humans who make it their mission to help these animals in any way they can.

Janice Chatterton, a native Californian who is a longtime resident of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, is one of those people.

Chatterton, who owns Hacienda San Angel, a luxury boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta, became overwhelmed and heartbroken over just how many dogs and cats she saw wandering the streets in Mexico without food, water, health care or shelter. She wanted to do something, and in 2007, founded a group called the Protective and Compassionate Society for the Animals of Puerto Vallarta, or Sociedad Protectora y Compasiva por los Animales de Puerto Vallera. Its shorthand is simply SPCA de PV.

Despite the similar acronym, SPCA de PV is not related to the international SPCA and its affiliates. It is a freestanding entity that depends solely on private donations and volunteers.

Its mission is to promote and fund sterilization efforts for Puerto Vallarta's animals, as well as provide health care to animals in need and rehome rescued dogs and cats.

In 2012, after having raised enough money, Chatterton was able to open a sanctuary for Puerto Vallarta's abused, abandoned and stray animals, a no-kill shelter and hospice which can house as many as 130 dogs and cats.
Since its creation, "The Sanctuary," as it is called, has saved more than 600 dogs and found permanent homes for at least 500 dogs.

Some of the dogs who are taken in by SPVA's sanctuary are sent to foster homes in the United States and Canada while they await adoption. Before traveling, all the dogs must be healthy, vaccinated, and spayed/neutered. Volunteers help coordinate the transportation of these animals, and SPCA de PV takes care of the expenses and paperwork.

The PVCA Animal Rescue Society is the Canadian arm for SPCA de VA and handles fostering and rehoming for dogs and cats arriving from Mexico, while PreVent Cruelty to Animals does the same in the United States.

But for those dogs and cats who are too sick, injured or unfit to be transported to foster homes in North America, a dedicated team cares for them at The Sanctuary in Puerto Vallarta. Currently, Chatterton and the other volunteers are caring for approximately 96 dogs and 25 cats at The Sanctuary, but, unfortunately, cannot always take in every animal that needs rescuing.

"The Sanctuary's success is not determined by the number of lives saved, but by the amount of suffering we are able to alleviate from these highly neglected and abused dogs," Chatterton says. "Seeing them leave us healthy, happy and restored is an extremely rewarding feeling for me and the other members of The Sanctuary."

And despite knowing she can't save them all, Chatterton is making a difference in the lives of Mexico's dogs.

She says that the success she's had treating some of the dogs at The Sanctuary suffering from distemper has prompted forward thinking local vets to try and treat the condition as well, whereas before, distemper was most certainly a death sentence.

"We've also discovered -- from our thorough testing of every dog who arrives at The Sanctuary -- the prevalence of a tick-borne disease called Ehrlichia. We found that 80 to 90 percent of all new arrivals have it, and it is fatal when left untreated," Chatterton says. "Because of this, the vets here are now also aware of the prevalence of the disease and many precious lives are being saved as a result."

Some of the dogs who find their way to The Sanctuary are owner surrenders; dogs whose owners no longer want to care for them when they are sick or injured, and see them as possessions to be discarded. Chatterton says she has seen dogs tossed from moving cars, some of them chasing after the car as it speeds away. But for Chatterton, the biggest problem facing Mexico's dog and cat overpopulation is that there is no spay/neuter program in place on an official level.

Though conditions for Puerto's Vallarta's abandoned and abused animals might be tough, those who are taken in by The Sanctuary get the chance to heal physically and emotionally through extensive vet care and rehabilitation. They are free to roam around and interact with the staff, and thanks to the large numbers of tourists who volunteer at the sanctuary during their holidays, the dogs receive daily walks and benefit from lots of attention and care. The animals' health and well-being is the priority for Chatterton and her staff, and they do all they can, including taking animals to specialists located in Mexico City when necessary.

But for those who will not get better, Chatterton wants them to feel safe and comfortable until the very end. "If we are unable to physically cure an animal, we have our own type of hospice care to keep it as painless and happy as possible, so that the remainder of the animal's life is peaceful, loving and caring."

An animal-loving truck driver with a heart of gold has made an Arizona family’s dream come true: when the Windhams’ dog Koda was found, Jimmy Dimmitt drove from Nebraska to Arizona to reunite the family with their beloved bull mastiff.

On August 4th, Dani and Jason Windham were preparing to be wed at Holmes Lake in Nebraska. Their three dogs – Koda, Finn, and Hooch – knocked down the fence to their yard and took off. Friends and families searched for them before the ceremony, but they were gone.

Twelve hours later, Finn and Hooch were located by animal control, but Koda was still missing. She still hadn’t turned up by August 11th, when the family was due to move to Camp Verde, Arizona for Jason’s job in the sheriff’s department.

But two months later, a farmer in Wahoo, Nebraska called police to report that a loose dog was chasing his cattle. The dog was taken to Green Acre Veterinary Clinic and scanned for a microchip. The Windhams were ecstatic to be informed that Koda had finally been found, and that despite being 20 pounds lighter, was in good health.

But how to get her home? The newlyweds did not have the money to fly her to Arizona or to drive up to get her. But thanks to Lost Pets of Lancaster County and the Journal Star, Jimmy Dimmitt was on the phone with Dani.

A social media site friend Mindy Mahoney had tipped him off about Koda, and the self-proclaimed dog lover jumped to help.

“There was no hesitation on my part,” he explained.

He was due to be on the road to California by 6 pm on Sunday, and needed to have Koda with him by 5 pm, so someone at the vet clinic would have to be able to release the dog into his care.

“It took an army of volunteers and caring angels to pull this off,” Dani said.

A volunteer from Lost Pets of Saunders County arrived at the clinic just as the vet was leaving. Koda was then taken to Porter Ridge Veterinary Clinic in Ashland, where Jimmy was. She was given a bath and flea and tick treatment. Lost Pets of Lancaster County was working on a travel bag in the meantime, stocking food, treats, a leash and harness for Koda.

While they were on the road, Jimmy and his girlfriend Lori Wischmann texted the Windhams with updates and photos of Koda taking the ride. They met at a truck stop just outside of Flagstaff.

“I jumped out of the truck before he (Jason) put it in park,” Dani said.

The joyful reunion was caught on video; Dani gave Jimmy a big hug while Koda leaped around in excitement.

“Dani and Jason were so very thankful,” Jimmy said. “I was glad I could do my part.”

The couple has invited the trucker and his girlfriend to have dinner with them the next time they pass through the area. In an effort to pay the good deed forward, the Windhams are donating all the money raised on the their gofundme page to Lost Pets of Lancaster County.

A severely emaciated dog found wandering the streets of New Orleans has been rescued and is on the road to recovery. When he was taken in, it was discovered that Alex had only twigs and rocks in his stomach. He wouldn’t have lasted for much longer, but is now getting the care and love he needs.

“We saw a terrified and emaciated dog that needed help and need help fast,” Deanna Theis, assistant director of the Southern Animal Foundation, told Fox 8.

“Seeing the picture was one thing, seeing him in person was very emotional. When I picked him up I couldn’t help but tear up, and feel very sad for him,” she told HuffPost in an email. “I hugged him and kissed him on the head and told him he will be OK now.”

“He was hesitant coming out of his transport crate, but when out, immediately licked my hand and began wagging his tail,” Theis explained.

An X-ray showed Alex’s stomach was filled with rocks and twigs, and soon after he developed bloat and his stomach flipped, requiring immediate surgery on the 14th of this month.

“This poor baby has been through hell and back,” SAF said. “Emaciated and heavy heartworm positive made him a horrible surgical candidate, but it had to be done.”

Alex survived the incredibly risky surgery, and is now recuperating. He is becoming well-known in the French Quarter, and people driving by honk when they see him being taken for walks.

“The responses to Alex have been overwhelming. Alex’s story has been shared more than I ever imagined it would be, and people are sending in donations to help with his medical care,” Theis told HuffPost. “He certainly has a following now, and just the positive words of support and encouragement are heartwarming.”

The 10-year veteran rescuer has been taught a valuable lesson by this lovable dog.

“This particular experience has taught me to not give up hope. Even the worst possible cases of neglect and abuse can be saved, especially if the community comes together to help out.”

Okay, so it isn’t quite instant karma, but it definitely is karma: Adell Ziegler, the Buffalo man convicted of setting fire to the Jack Russell terrier puppy Phoenix two years ago, was found on a street with gunshots to his groin and buttocks. It isn’t known if there is a connection between the incidents, but we can’t say we feel too sorry for him.

On October 6th, Ziegler was found in the 600 block of Humboldt Parkway with gunshot wounds to the butt and crotch area at 9:10 am. He was taken to Erie County Medical Center and was listed in stable condition.

In October of 2012, Ziegler set fire to little Phoenix while his nephew Diondre Brown acted as a lookout. Both pleaded guilty and were sentenced for their crimes.

Phoenix healed up nicely and was adopted by a vet technician who treated him at the Buffalo Small Animal Shelter.

Yesterday (Wednesday) in Nepal, dogs across the country were “worshipped and thanked for their loyalty and invaluable friendship”.

The day of worship falls on the second day of a five-day Hindu festival called Tihar.

As you can see, the dogs are decorated with garlands of Marigold flowers. They are also offered delicious food to feast on.

The Humane Society’s public relations manager Bretta Nelson said, “It’s such a win-win for everyone involved. Boots loves it. Most of the kittens love it. Some are very scared at first, but the whole thought is to get them acclimated to being around dogs.”

The kittens, all between five and eight weeks old, get to meet and hangout with Boots, the idea being that this will take out some of the guesswork when it comes to seeing how the kittens will handle being with families that already have a dog.

Boots doesn’t seem to mind being the subject of the experiment at all. He happily spends every Wednesday alongside staff in the kitten nursery, playing and sometimes just relaxing with the kittens.

“He’s so relaxed. We bring him in, he sniffs the tents, he sniffs the kittens,” said Nelson. “You can see their reaction, who’s curious and will just come up to Boots or who will want to go slow.”

Each time the kittens have another interaction with Boots, their comfort level grows.

“By bringing a dog nanny in, we’re exposing these kittens to a lot of different things. In the end, they will be adaptable, and more adoptable,” said Nelson.

Delilah is a sweet and friendly Lhasa Apso who spent 9 years living in a wire cage in a puppy mill until she was saved by National Mill Dog Rescue earlier this month.

Her intake date is listed as October 10, so she has only known freedom for several days now. She was bathed and shaved after her rescue, and on October 12 her caregivers shared one of the most heartwarming videos ever, with Delilah, all clean and unmatted, rolling around on a soft bed and feeling sheer joy.

This video shows Delilah experiencing a bed for the first time in her life: