Can cats be used for therapy? 

According to Lynette Hart, Professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine,  the quality of relationships that you have enjoys affects your emotional wellbeing enormously. That is because humans are made to relate with others and feel secure when others support us. 

Why is it therapeutic to own a pet? An Australian study showed that cat owners were happier, more confident, and healthier than those that do not own a pet. That is because pets are loyal and their companionship is unconditional. To have nearby someone to rub and support you increases your emotional well-being. And cats fulfill this adequately.

WHAT IS A THERAPY CAT?

A therapy cat is any cat that has been taught to assist sick or mentally affected people in a medically advantageous fashion in order to benefit from the human-animal bond for the goals of relaxation and healing. 

These offer company, alleviate loneliness, and occasionally help with depression and certain phobias. Therapy pets normally have received training in helping people in need emotionally, physically, or medically. 

Therapy cats are frequently used to offer emotional support, comfort, and companionship to those who are coping with impairments, disorders, or who have a special need for companionship.

Therapy cats can help with stress, anxiety, and depression reduction. Additionally, they can inspire persons they are caring for to get more activity through games, walks, or other activities.

 When their companions are experiencing difficult times or medical situations, therapy cats are taught to retain a soft, tolerant disposition and to remain quiet.

Although therapy dogs have been around longer, cats have the advantage of being smaller and requiring less maintenance. 

Can cats be used for therapy?

In the US, Pet Partners organization that manages the largest therapy business. In this organization, 94 percent of the therapy animals are dogs, and the rest are cats and other types of pets. 

However, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests cats can be used in therapy. Cats are known for their independent and curious nature, which makes them well-suited for therapy that encourages their natural exploration and curiosity. Cats can be trained to respond to simple commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” which can be used to help them with issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. 

In spite of sloppy wet kisses, the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) claims that interaction with cats has many of the same therapeutic advantages as contact with dogs. These comprise, but are not restricted to:

• improved cardiac health
• pain and tension are lessened
• Enhanced immunological response
• reduced anxiety, sadness, and other behavioral and mood disorders symptoms
• reduced feelings of isolation and improved capacity to interact with others
• Cats and the people they assist benefit from being petted therapeutically. 

In addition, cats can provide companionship and support for people who are lonely or isolated, which can be beneficial for those with mental health issues

.For rescuing and other services dogs may be favorable, however, cats can provide companionship as good as dogs. That is because cats are endowed with temperate nature.  “Cats can form powerful social bonds as strong as dogs and can serve as emotional supports if you earn their affection,” says DennisDennis Turner, director of the Institute for Applied Ethology and Animal Psychology in Zurich, Switzerland

Numerous studies have revealed that owning a cat can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, aid in the prevention and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic pain, boost immunity, and even lengthen life.

Which cats are best to train for therapy

The suitability of cats for therapeutic purposes depends on the individual cat, their personality, and their preferences. However, some cats that are commonly seen in therapy settings are those that are calmer, more patient, and less likely to vocalize. These types of cats may be better suited for therapy if they are shy or have anxiety issues. Other cats that are commonly used in therapy are those that are more active and vocal. These cats may be better suited for interactive sessions in which they are given tasks or toys to work on. Ultimately, it is important to find a cat that is a good fit for the individual and their specific needs.

Generally, there are two requirements for utilizing cats as therapy animals. According to Elisabeth Van Every who works for Pet Partners in Bellevue, Washington, a renowned therapy animal program in the area of animal-assisted interventions, as the senior communications specialist and managing editor, “ The correct temperament and a close relationship with their handler are the two most crucial characteristics, according to the expert”. 

A good therapy cat will be adaptable to new situations and environments, be friendly, calm, and people-oriented, and manage travel well”.

How to train your cats for therapy

There are many ways that you can train your cat to be a therapy animal. One way is to start by rewarding your cat when they behave in a way that you deem therapeutic. This could be anything from scratching an itch to sitting patiently while you do your nails. Once your cat is getting the message that behaving in a therapeutic way earns them rewards, you can start to introduce new behaviors. You might want to start by asking your cat to sit next to you when you are reading a book or watching TV. Then, you could work on teaching them to give you a paw when you need a hug. 

Another way can be to have them use a litter box in a specific area. You can also have them use a scratching post in a specific area. You can have them use a toy to play with. You can also have them use a specific type of toy to play with. You can also have them use a specific type of toy to scratch. You can also have them use a specific type of toy to sit on. You can also have them use a specific type of toy to sleep on. You can also have them use a specific type of toy to play with. There are numerous ways you can use to train cats in a simple way.

If you believe your cat has what it takes, Van Every suggests focusing on the following:

• Get them accustomed to seeing new locations and interacting with strangers.
• Start preparing them to feel secure when walking on a leash and wearing a harness.
• Prepare them for routine grooming and bathing—essential for secure visits.

Training therapeutic cats require a strong human-cat relationship. “A handler is familiar with their cat’s preferences and body language.

Conclusion

Cats have the potential to be used as therapeutic pets as dogs. It is very helpful for companionship to own a cat and it is scientifically proven that pet owners have better emotional well-being. Cats have many health and psychological benefits such as reducing heart problems, depression, anxiety, and boosting immunity. So what reason do you have to not own a cat?