The Healing Power of Therapy Cats: Benefits, Training, and Feline Welfare

Have you ever felt happy, relaxed, or healed after petting a friendly cat or seeing a tiny kitten? Cats have a special effect on us, and some are even trained to serve as therapy animals in physical or psychological therapy settings.

While many dogs are bred for their trainability, many cats are bred for their aesthetics. Therefore, service cats do not perform like guide dogs or K-9. Rather, their laid-back nature does the job. They help psychotherapists and clients build rapport. They offer comfort to students in schools, residents in nursing homes, and patients in hospitals. Although some people view this as anecdotal, the stress-reducing benefits are undeniable.

However, not every cat is cut out for therapy work. They must be healthy, up-to-date on vaccinations, and have a calm personality and temperament. They also need to be well-trained and able to remain calm in response to various stimuli, such as loud noises, touching, and unfamiliar smells.

If we genuinely care about others including therapy cats, there are three things to keep in mind;

1. Professional Training is required for both therapists and animals.

Be aware of programs incorporating “animal therapy” just because it sounds like a novel idea. A survey conducted in 2007 found that 58% of therapists who practice animal-assisted play therapy for children had not received proper education, and 58% of their “therapy” animals had not been properly trained.¹ While I couldn’t locate an updated survey, this statistic is concerning to me.

2. Keep hand sanitizers away from cats.

Nowadays, hand sanitizers are the must-item. Many people spray it on their hands right before they touch animals. It is not only unpleasant to smell, but it is also toxic for animals. Cats may ingest toxic chemicals by licking our hands. Chemicals can also be absorbed through their skin if many people touch cats. When in doubt, encourage participants to wash their hands thoroughly instead.

3. Think from the cat’s perspective.

When it comes to researching human-animal bonds or animal-assisted interventions, we tend to focus on the benefits for humans.² However, it’s critical to consider how therapy cats feel about interacting with strangers. Are they truly enjoying the attention, or are they simply tolerating high-pitched voices and constant petting? Do they need a break from the crowds, knowing they receive a lot of attention? It’s important to view the situation from the cat’s perspective as well.

In conclusion, the presence of therapy cats alone is often enough to bring smiles to people’s faces. As the demand for therapy cats grows, it is imperative that we improve feline welfare and continue to recognize the wonderful world of cats. Meet Duke, Roger, and Salvatore, amazing therapy cats who bring joy to those around them.

References

1. VanFleet, R., Fine, A. H., & Faa-Thompson, T. (2019). Application of animal-assisted interventions in professional mental health settings. In Fine, A. H. (Eds.), Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Foundations and guidelines for animal-assisted interventions (pp. 225–248). Elsevier/Academic Press.
2. Beetz, A., & Bales, K. (2016). Affiliation in human-animal interaction. In L. S. Freund, S. McCune, L. Esposito, N. R. Gee, & P. McCardle (Eds.), The social neuroscience of human-animal interaction (pp. 107–125). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14856-007