Apply It: Cesar Millan

 

 

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Friedman and Schustack (2012) discuss self-healing personalities in our text, one of which is described as “the calmer, more relaxed type – active, alert, involved, and responsive, but calm, philosophical, and bemused” (p. 401). A famous personality that immediately came to mind when I read this description was Cesar Millan of Dog Whisperer fame. I have always owned dogs of various breeds, sizes, and temperaments. It only made sense that I would become familiar with the Dog Whisperer in that context. What always resonated with me, however, was Cesar’s ability to exude the very calm, assertive, and balanced presence he induced in helping problem canines (“Cesar Millan,” 2013).

I was a little surprised to learn Cesar Millan attempted suicide in 2010 due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, namely the loss of his most beloved right-hand-man and dog, Daddy, and his wife was leaving him (“Millan,” 2012). However, I was not at all surprised Millan’s recovery rejected pharmacology methods and instead focused on the exact elements he espouses in treating his canine companions: “exercise, discipline and affection” (“Millan,” 2012, p. 1). Millan’s experience exemplifies this week’s concept of a self-healing personality in description of his typology, his unfortunate reaction to excessive and untimely cumulative negative events, and thereafter, ability to dig deep and heal from within with additional support of those around him, including his canine companions. The ultimate success in this example is that Millan demonstrated that even those with seemingly great fortunate and the best possible temperament/personality can and do experience life events well out of their control and may, for a time, lose the ability to cope appropriately. However, that said, with support, these individuals, and others, can find their way back, and flourish. In fact, Millan has since found a new love, has a new series airing soon, and a new book is scheduled to come out at the beginning of the year. It would seem he has, in fact, come a long way in three years towards healing.

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References

Cesar Millan. (2013). In Wikipedia. Retrieved August 1, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesar_Millan

Friedman, H. S., & Schustack, M. W. (2012). Personality: Classic theories and modern research (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

’I felt defeated’: Dog whisperer Cesar Millan reveals he attempted suicide in 2010 after death of pit bull and divorce. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2233691/Dog-Whisperer-Cesar-Millan-reveals-attempted-suicide-2010.html