Several studies have recently been published about the therapeutic effects of cats (and dogs). More and more medical professionals are beginning to understand the positive influences pets can have on their owners or other patients. Sometimes, you can even see pets “on duty” in hospitals, nursing-homes or orphanages as well as prisons or reformatory stations. Not only can those furry companions bring some relief to those who are suffering from certain diseases, they can also have a positive effect on the process of re-socialization. Thanks to the mere presence of such “furry therapists”, people seem to be more self-confident and optimistic. On the other hand, they can also have a calming effect on people, making them less nervous and less aggressive. In Germany, the term “Felino-Therapy” (a form of therapy using cats as “mediators”) is now widely recognised.

Tests have shown, that cats have a positive effect on the people's psyche. Cats have a particularly calming effect, not only through their purring, but also through the gentle vibrations caused by it. Those vibrations can help to relax muscles.

Every cat-lover will know the amazingly pleasant feeling when being with their furry friend(s). But in order to be a professional “therapist”, cats must be well trained.

Ideally, you should start the “therapy-training” when your cat is approximately one year old. At that age, you should be able to check carefully, whether or not your cat is suitably socialized for the job. On the other hand, your cats immune-system is fully developed at this stage so that it can fight off possible infections (e.g. in a hospital-environment).

Further key-points are:

• your cat's vaccinations must be up-to-date and you must have a current vaccination-cert for it
• make a note of all the characteristics and main habits of your cat (so that other people know how to handle it best), keep a small “cat-therapist manual” and keep it current
• make sure your cat is well used to the following situations:
  
  1. the presence of other cats and dogs and a number of people
  2. different noises and crowded places (this is important so that your cat does not get frightened while “on duty” and accidentally hurts people
  3. travelling in cars or other means of transport

How can I train me cat for this job?

• from a very early age, try to have “foreign” people around you and your cat (invite friends into your home, take your pet with you when you go visiting friends, relatives etc.). This way, your cat will learn to trust different people and is less likely to get frightened or aggressive.
• Train your cat so that it is used to a leash and a harness. The easiest way to do this is to “walk your cat” on the leash from a very early age and to play with it while the harness is on. Treats do go down very well at this stage as well, of course...
• Groom your little therapist well and regularly – the cat needs to be used to being handled and getting loads of cuddles... - they usually LOVE this particular part though...
• try using different means of transport when travelling with your cat. Make sure your furry therapists gets used to as many different situations as possible while travelling to and from its “workplace”

If it doesn't work:

Don't be too disappointed if your purring mate does not turn out the perfect therapist. After having gone through all those training-sessions, at the worst, you will have your own PRIVATE therapist anyway – and the best of friends anyway