Therapy cats are affectionate, gentle pets with special training allowing supervised visit healthcare settings like hospitals without stress to give comfort.
Definition
Certified cats can sit calmly for handling, don’t mind medical devices or being carried, accept strangers well and offer distraction.
Skills
Training ensures therapy cats have mastered basic obedience, being on leash, exposure to new stimuli, and remaining unbothered by unfamiliar environments/people.
Training
Their volunteer handlers coordinate visits to retirement homes, schools, libraries, study spaces on college campuses and more by request for moral support.
Where
Research shows interacting with therapy cats helps lower anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms and promotes communication especially in kids or institutionalized adults.
Benefits
Accredited organizations assess cat temperament, health and skills for certification. Background checks required for handlers guiding them too.
Certified
Therapy cats enjoy stimulating adventures, attention and bringing joy. Handlers bond closely with their therapy pets over their community service.
Perks