THE POWER OF ANIMAL SPIRITS

The natural power of animal spirit guides has not been lost. The knowledge and power of animal guides is alive and can be effectively used to improve our lives. American Indians call the process of connecting with animal guides and other parts of creation as being ‘One with Nature.’

Connecting with your animal guide will make you a better person. You will be healthier physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You will see the world and all things in it with more clarity and understanding.
Animals are wondrous happy creatures. There is no doubt that animals have beautiful, balanced emotions. They love and defend one another. They feel sorrow and melancholy. Yet, there has never been a war between animal species. They know nothing about greed, envy, and hate. They live their entire lives without sin.

They have many amazing powers and use those powers only to benefit their own kind and not to overcome their opponents. There is a reason why we are all together on the same planet. A part of that reason is to learn from one another.

Animals are here to teach humans. They have many powerful lessons to give us. They remind us that we are only a small part of creation; that each part of creation has a place; that each creature has its own skill and wisdom.  Read more... (316 words, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)

The old adage “you can lead an animal to water, but you can’t make him drink” was definitely coined by someone who knew nothing about affection-based animal training. If that person had known about and had applied the principles of training animals based upon affection and relationship-building strategies, the phrase most probably would not even exist.

Let’s begin by exploring the basis of training exotic animals, which is called operant conditioning. This primary training strategy lays the foundation upon which the principles of affection-based training are built. Through operant conditioning, exotic animals learn from their own behaviors as they are relevant to the environments in which they exist. The probability that a specific animal behavior either increases or decreases is directly proportionate to the consequences the animal experiences. In other words, positive results produce positive behaviors in exotic animals, resulting in the increased chances that such behavior will be repeated.

It is amazing how similar affection-based training in exotic animals compares to the same techniques when applied to human beings. For instance, a child who brings home a fantastic report card simply because he chose to apply himself at school is likely to continue making high marks when he receives recognition and praise from his parents. If the same child’s parents pay no attention to his accomplishments at school, it is exceedingly likely that the child’s enthusiasm for a job well done will be significantly, if not completely diminished. The child’s attitude quickly changes to a “why bother?” mindset.  Read more... (1021 words, estimated 4:05 mins reading time)

If you think animals have no feelings, don’t tell Carla Persons. The Phoenix-born resident knows them better than just about anyone and she’ll tell you they sure do have feelings. In fact, she talks to them!

As a youngster, Carla found she could talk to her spirit teachers and friends. She also had a cat that was what she calls “a higher being” with whom she connected closely to. Then in high school, she began studying mysticism.

It wasn’t until 1987, however, that a Shamanic healer told her that she was particularly oriented toward animals and should learn how to communicate with them. She immediately contacted the Foundation For Shamanic Studies and completed her formal training in 1998.

Today, the 39-year-old is a Shamanic healer and Animal Communicator. She operates a successful business helping people to better understand their animals, whether it is a fluffy little kitten or a horse in your stable. And it doesn’t matter if your beloved pet is dead or alive. Either way, she can tell you what their thinking, what is bothering them and how to correct the problem. But how she does it is fascinating. First she goes into a Shamanic trance.

“I use a drum and rattle, and I sing sacred songs,” said Carla.

She does not hear the animals speaking in our reality, but rather during the time she’s in the trance-like state.
 Read more... (1327 words, estimated 5:18 mins reading time)

Tiny, fluffy paws gently but earnestly cling to you as if to say, “You are my world. Don’t let me fall.”
Sopping wet fur covers a belly that faces the sky, gliding along a glassy lake. A furry little face gazes at the heavens as, beneath it, its mother’s paws crack a shell that houses their lunch.
Miniature pink, four-toed feet scurry about under a brand new body finding its way for the first time.

Surrounded by succulent stalks of bamboo, the incredibly endearing black and white ball of fur donning Mother Nature’s mask learns how to eat, how to enjoy, how to survive.

 Fresh fuzzy ears, destined to be long ears, one that sticks up and one that flops over. Already, they are tuning in to their new world and are anxious to hear more, to find out where the sounds will lead them. Smooth, slippery new skin gliding through the water, covering a body that wriggles with delight at the discovery of its own speed, jumping through waves and splashing with glee.

 From kittens to otters, mice to pandas, bunnies to dolphins, for centuries people the world over have enjoyed an everlasting love affair with the small, the furry, the soft, the playful, the adorable — the Baby Animal.  Read more... (756 words, estimated 3:01 mins reading time)

At Mennell Media, we’re developing animated learning videos for children’s literacy and science education. Our real time 3D animations are structured into interactive learning experiences designed to engage and motivate students, elevating the learning experience in both the classroom and the home.

We have applied our interactive 3D real time animation tools specifically to phonics education for early literacy and the nutrition and digestion module of the GCSE curriculum (UK). We created 3D visualizations of biological processes and humorous character animations that together produce an entertaining and effective learning narrative. In addition to the PC based real time interactive learning experience, videos can be rendered to the web or portable device formats, providing very convenient access consistent with the lifestyle and habits of contemporary students.

An integral aspect of both subject developments was the creation of animated worlds: Organisms for the Nutrition and Digestion module, and ‘Fruitphonics’ for the early literacy module.

In Organisms,the human digestive process is demonstrated through real time interactive 3D simulations and character animations. This interactive content is designed to stimulate the interest of the students, while developing their understanding of the underlying science concepts and the relevance to the student’s lives. In this animated setting, the reasons why humans have to eat can be understood by exploring the flow of food through the human body, the break down of the food inside the digestive system, and the absorption of nutrients into the cellular structure of the body. The nutrition and digestion videos, together with additional learning materials, help students to conceptualize the entire digestive process in terms of the underlying biological principles and their own life experiences. We can also render the Nutrition and Digestion content to video for web and mobile distribution, increasing accessibility and learning possibilities.  Read more... (551 words, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)