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  • The Education of Will

  • A Mutual Memoir of a Woman and Her Dog
  • Written by: Patricia B. McConnell
  • Narrated by: Ellen Archer
  • Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (10 ratings)

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The Education of Will

Written by: Patricia B. McConnell
Narrated by: Ellen Archer
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Publisher's Summary

In this powerful, soul-searching memoir, beautifully written in the vein of A Pack of Two and Wild, animal behaviorist Dr. Patricia McConnell recounts for the first time the compelling story of her dark past, memories of which are triggered by a troubled dog named Will.

World-renowned as a source of science and soul, Patricia McConnell combines brilliant insights into canine behavior - gained from her work with aggressive and fearful dogs - with heartwarming stories of her own dogs and their life on the farm. Now, she reveals that it wasn't just the dogs who had serious problems. For decades Dr. McConnell secretly grappled with her own guilt and fear, which were rooted in the harrowing traumas of her youth.

Patricia is forced to face her past by her love for a young border collie named Will, whose frequent, unpredictable outbreaks of fear and fury shake Patricia to her core. In order to save Will from this dangerous behavior, she must find her own will to heal and along the way learn that willpower by itself is not enough.

Interweaving enlightening stories of her clients' dogs with tales of her deepening bond with Will, Patricia recounts her fight to reclaim her life. Hopeful and inspiring, the redemptive message of her journey is that while trauma changes our brains and the past casts a long shadow, healing, for both people and dogs, is possible through hard work, compassion, and mutual devotion.

©2017 Patricia McConnell (P)2017 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

What listeners say about The Education of Will

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

enlightening

narrated wonderfully focused on the true partnership between human and dog and understanding that trauma runs true all species

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

TW: molestation of a minor, rape, trauma

This book was great, but I wasn't always in a good place to be hearing about the author's molestation or rape. unlike in a paper book, I couldn't exactly skim ahead and decide to save the chapter for another time. that said, what a brave and open-hearted book. I highly recommend it to people who love dogs and to people who love autobiographies, just be ready for some heavy stuff.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hit close to home

so much of this is relatable to me. Not the trauma per se but the connection of dog to human and how they bring out so much self reflection and teach us so much about ourselves. Thank you for this. I needed to hear your story.

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1 person found this helpful