| When people think of therapy animals, they | | | | cat for the job of therapy cat. |
| almost immediately think of therapy dogs, | | | | |
| usually Golden Retrievers or Labradors of | | | | Of course it goes without saying that the cat |
| some kind, however, they would be wrong in | | | | must be kept up on all its shots, flea |
| thinking that these are the only animals that | | | | medications and worming. The cat must be |
| can help the disabled and the elderly. Cats | | | | healthy so that it does not get any of the |
| are fast becoming therapy animals and helpers | | | | diseases that might be circulating within the |
| for those who can not do for themselves. | | | | nursing home. |
| | | | |
| Cats have always been around nursing homes | | | | Now a cat can not open doors or walk in front |
| and some rehabilitation centers to interact | | | | of a wheel chair, but they do make great |
| with the patience. Study after study have | | | | companion animals for those people who don't |
| shown that interaction with animals brighten | | | | get out of their houses because of a mental |
| the days of those who are living in nursing | | | | or physical disability. Sometimes, cats can |
| facilities and do not regularly have any | | | | be trained to pull on a piece of fabric to |
| visitors. Even if they do have regular | | | | open a cabinet or a drawer if it is light. |
| visitors, it's nice to have a furry friend | | | | |
| come by your room for a visit. | | | | They can also be a type of alarm clock for |
| | | | medications, pushing the bottles off the |
| There are several criteria that a cat must | | | | table into the persons lap. Of course all |
| poses before being chosen for the therapy | | | | this takes time, training and a lot of |
| assistant job. They must be over a year old | | | | patience but it can be done with the right |
| and usually, there are certain breeds that | | | | cat and the right person willing to put in |
| have a better disposition and temperament for | | | | the time and love the cat needs to be trained |
| this type of work. Several of the working | | | | to assist someone. |
| assistant cats have been former show cats and | | | | |
| are now retired from adventures of shows. | | | | Cats, just as dogs, need to be recertified |
| | | | each year as an assistance dog. The test are |
| The cat must be able to remain still and calm | | | | rather simple for a cat, they must be able to |
| in situations where many people are vying for | | | | hold still while being touched by many hands |
| its attention and affection. Everyone wants | | | | at the same time. They must not be aggressive |
| to pet it or hold it at the same time and the | | | | at any point in the testing or any time |
| cat must be calm and not be wanting to jump | | | | within its visits to the nursing homes or any |
| away from this. Again, there are certain | | | | home it is placed in. the cat must be current |
| breeds that work better with people than | | | | with all it's vet records and must maintain |
| others. It's a matter of finding the right | | | | an even disposition. |