Therapy cat
A therapy cat is a cat trained to help ailing humans in a medically beneficial way to take advantage of the human-animal interaction for purposes of relaxation and healing. Therapy cats have been used as companions to help the recovery and well-being of stroke victims,[1] lower blood pressure,[2][3] decrease patient anxiety,[2][3] increase sensory stimulation,[2] ward off depression,[3] inspire a "sense of purpose",[2] and assist teens at juvenile detention centers[4][5] and children with developmental disabilities[4][5] and to help children with language, speech and hearing problems.[6] Some nursing homes have therapy cats that are used to be companions to their elderly residents. Therapy cats are also sometimes used in hospitals to relax children who are staying there.[7] There have been arguments made that therapy animals can work as well as or better than conventional pharmaceutical medicine for helping people relax,[citation needed] lowering stress levels and blood pressure decreases,[3] causing the heart rate to slow down.[citation needed]. According to one report, the cats can help children and teens with special needs to "feel relaxed", and that the human-cat communication is beneficial.[5] One researcher reviewing 25 studies found positive effects of pets on patients in nursing homes, and found evidence that the animals helped patients be more alert, smile more often, and that the presence of the pets helped physically aggressive patients to calm down and allow other humans to be near them.[2] To qualify as a therapy cat in New York State, a cat must demonstrate that it will not react aggressively to loud noises or other animals.
[edit] References
- ^ Linda Wilson Fuoco (July 24, 2010). "Pet Tales: Paralyzed therapy cat inspires patients". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10205/1074966-62.stm. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ a b c d e Associated Press (Aug 4, 2011). "Pet therapy for humans who need it most". Naperville Sun. http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/lifestyles/3430464-417/therapy-pet-naperville-reading-area.html?print=true. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ a b c d Associated Press (December 1, 2009). "Even hairless Sphynx cats give patients a warm, fuzzy feeling". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2009-12-02-sphynx02_ST_N.htm. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ a b Associated Press (January 10, 2012). "Missing NY therapy cat found". The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/AP44374f921d6442a994213f920c79193f.html. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ a b c staff writer (March 04, 2011). "Jersey City dance school mourns loss of therapy cat". The Jersey Journal. http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/03/jersey_city_dance_school_mourn.html. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ SHELBY GRAD (June 04, 1993). "Countywide : Show Cats Just Purrfect for Therapy". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1993-06-04/local/me-43205_1_international-cat-show. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ webmaster. "The Special Love of Therapy Cats : Feline Relationships : Your Cat's Mind". Catsplay.com. http://www.catsplay.com/thedailycat/2002-02-18/mind_relationships/therapy_cats/therapy_cats.html. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
 |
This felid-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
