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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 3, 2016)
14 Wednesday, February 3, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Paw Prints Jodi Schneider McNamee Columnist Cats as therapy animals With various studies documenting the positive effects pets can have on human health, it’s no sur- prise that therapy animals have regular visits at chil- dren’s hospitals and retire- ment communities around the nation. And while dogs might be the first therapy animals to come to mind, an increasing number of ther- apy cats have been making a difference helping people cope. While the stereotypi- cal aloofness might at first seem to prevent cats from becoming therapy animals, those felines who are out- going and actively seek out human attention can make excellent therapy animals. If you share your home with a cat or two, you’ll probably agree that they’re great companions and unknowingly offer therapy to us on many levels. Cats seem to have an instinct to be there when you need comfort. Whether you are sick, worried about work, or mourning the loss of a loved one, a cat will inevitably show up to make you feel better. Feeling a furry body cozy up into your lap, then give loving licks on your hand purring all the while, can be one of the most comforting feel- ings imaginable. Scientists have discov- ered that the purring of cats is a natural healing mechanism. So snuggling up with a furry feline com- panion can be good for you. Because their purr vibra- tions are in the 20 to 140 Hz range, they can have thera- peutic effects. When your cat purrs within this range, being nearby may be thera- peutically beneficial to you. Purring has been linked to lowering stress, decreasing symptoms of dyspnoea (dif- ficulty breathing) strength- ening bones, and lessening the chances of having a heart attack. Does your furry feline friend have what it takes? There are several orga- nizations that certify pet therapy teams. And Pet Partners’ Therapy Animal Program is one of the larg- est in the U.S. The first step in prepar- ing your cat to be a therapy animal is to make sure that she meets basic require- ments. These can vary by organization, but typically include being comfortable in a harness and up-to-date with shots. Don’t worry if your furry friend hasn’t worn a harness; cats can be trained to wear one and many don’t mind once they get used to it. Most organizations will also have a minimum age for participation. For exam- ple, Pet Partners’ cats must be at least a year old and the handler must have known the animal for at least six months. You need to determine whether your cat has the right temperament to work with people. Good social- ization skills are important in a therapy cat, as they are exposed to many different environments and unpre- dictable situations. The ideal therapy cat is outgo- ing, laidback and friendly, and shows no aggression toward people or animals. But even though an extro- verted and social cat is potentially suitable as a therapy cat, she also needs to be able to tolerate some unexpected or different handling experiences. For instance, is your kitty able to tolerate someone who may be clumsy when they are handling her or may be louder than expected? The evaluation process for a potential therapy ani- mal is different for vari- ous organizations. But all are similar in the fact that they require animals to be of a certain age, certified healthy by a veterinarian with up-to-date vaccina- tions and have no history of aggression. While dogs are often required to know basic obedience commands, cats should be comfortable wearing a harness and leash. There’s no mistaking the impact of an animal on photo by Jodi sChneider mCnamee Ranger might be a therapy cat with his outgoing, laidback attitude. a person’s emotional well- being, and this is demon- strated with therapy ani- mals as they do their jobs by comforting those in distress. 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