We all know about therapy dogs who give emotional comfort to people - and we know about service dogs who help others live alone by taking over what might be considered household duties.
But have you ever heard of Xolos - and their special kind of therapy? Xolos are a Mexican hairless dog with a 3,000 year history of soothing arthritic pain. Their body temperature, like all dogs,is 102 degrees. But because they have no fur, there's no insulation. When you touch them, they're like a live heating pad.
These little dogs are so trainable and cooperative that a person with an injured neck can simply "wear" the dog to take advantage of the soothing heat. All dogs are intuitive, and these dogs seem to know just where their heat is needed - running to cuddle a sore spot before even being asked. They also serve as service dogs to their humans who have trouble with bending and reaching.
All dogs are good for your health - tests show that just petting them can lower blood pressure, and we all know the emotional lift that our dogs can give - but Xolos can relieve pain when no amount of medication or human attention can.
Xolos are rare and expensive - and in fact were considered nearly extinct until recently. Now a non-profit called
Xolos for Chronic Pain Relief is working to provide these unique dogs to pain sufferers who can't afford to buy one.
