Working with your cat to help people might sound like the perfect way to spend your afternoons, but not all cats are suited for therapy work. My own cat Ginger is a perfect example. When she feels like it, she jumps into my lap and purrs while I scratch her head. But if I try to pick her up, she’ll push against me and scratch to get away. If I try to pet her tummy, she bites me—not exactly great behavior for a cat who is supposed to help people feel better. Consider your own cat carefully while answering the following questions and see if your cat has what it takes to become a therapy cat.
1) Your cat:
a) has claws and knows how to use them.
b) is declawed or wears Soft Paws® or similar claw protectors.
c) became a biter after being declawed.
d) began attacking with his back claws after being declawed.
2) Your cat sees the veterinarian:
a) every few years.
b) annually for vaccinations and a routine examination.
c) only when sick.
d) never.
3) Your cat has lived with you:
a) a couple of months.
b) six months or more.
c) a few weeks.
d) a few days. You just got him.
4) Your cat:
a) tolerates grooming but doesn’t enjoy it.
b) seems to enjoy grooming, purring as you brush him.
c) has never been groomed.
d) fights you when you try to groom him. You are lucky if you don’t get scratched.
5) When your cat sees a carrier, he:
a) investigates it.
b) goes inside and falls asleep.
c) ignores it.
d) hides.
6) When you take your cat in the car, he:
a) meows non-stop for the entire trip.
b) goes to sleep or looks out the window.
c) seems to panic, scratching at his carrier and meowing loudly.
d) gets sick.
7) When your cat meets a stranger, he:
a) investigates the stranger, eventually settling into his lap and purring.
b) immediately demands attention.
c) runs away and hides.
d) hisses.
8) When your cat hears a loud noise, he:
a) investigates the source of the noise.
b) stays where he is.
c) hides.
d) leaps away, scratching you as he runs off.
9) Your cat:
a) goes limp when you hold him.
b) snuggles down into your arms whenever you pick him up, purring happily.
c) is as stiff as a board when you try to hold him.
d) hates being held. He scratches or bites you to get away.
10) When you have company, your cat:
a) hides for a while but eventually peeks his head into the room to watch people.
b) demands petting and ear scratches from everyone.
c) watches everyone from a safe point.
d) hides and doesn’t come out until everyone’s gone.
11) Your cat has:
a) fleas.
b) healthy skin.
c) fungal skin infection.
d) ringworm.
12) When being petted, your cat:
a) walks away.
b) closes his eyes and purrs contently.
c) must be petted very gently and softly, otherwise he scratches you.
d) bites or grabs you with his claws.
13) When you hand your cat to a stranger, he:
a) stares at the stranger nervously.
b) is relaxed and happy to be held.
c) tries to get away.
d) hisses at the stranger.
14) When you sit your cat on a couch or bed, he:
a) sits still, waiting for you to pick him back up.
b) lays down and waits for someone to pet him.
c) walks away from you, ignoring your calls.
d) immediately jumps down and runs away.
15) When hugged, your cat:
a) tolerates the hug.
b) begins purring.
c) pushes against the hugger, squirming to get away.
d) claws to get away.
16) If someone yells, your cat:
a) jumps or looks fearful.
b) curiously looks at whoever yells.
c) hides.
d) hisses.
17) Your cat:
a) is uncomfortable wearing a collar or harness but tolerates it.
b) ignores a harness or collar.
c) chews on his harness or collar.
d) refuses to wear a collar or harness, struggling to get free when you try to put one on him.
18) When working with your cat, he:
a) occasionally listens to you.
b) consistently listens to you and reacts well to your commands or requests.
c) ignores you.
d) seems to go out of his way to do the exact opposite of what you want.
19) When someone walks up behind your cat, he:
a) ignores them.
b) turns his head to watch them or gets up and approaches them.
c) jumps and runs.
d) hisses or growls.
20) Your cat is:
a) shy. He likes attention but only after he gets to know someone.
b) outgoing. He likes meeting new people and visiting new places.
c) very timid. It takes time for him to adjust to new situations.
d) indifferent to people. He would rather be left alone.
21) When you put your hand or fingers in front of your cat’s mouth, he:
a) licks your fingers.
b) rubs his face on your fingers.
c) presses his teeth against your fingers.
d) bites your fingers.
22) Your cat likes:
a) children or adults (but not both).
b) anyone he meets, regardless of age.
c) only your family.
d) no one.
23) When you take your cat someplace new, he:
a) sticks close to you.
b) finds a comfy spot to take a nap.
c) freezes.
d) hides.
24) When surrounded by a crowd of people, your cat:
a) ignores everyone.
b) loves the attention.
c) tries to get away.
d) swats at or bites people.
Scoring:
Mostly As:
Your cat isn’t the perfect therapy candidate—yet. He may have potential and you’ll need to spend some time working with him. Expose him to new situations and teach him to accept new people and places. Have any health problems treated and take him to the vet regularly. Periodically re-evaluate your cat to see if he has learned enough to become a therapy cat.
Mostly Bs:
Your cat has great therapy potential! If your cat scored A, C, or D on any items, work with him to see if you can help shape his behavior or correct any health problems. And be sure to talk to a therapy association about getting involved. It is rewarding for both you and your cat to help people.
Mostly Cs or Ds:
As I suspected, my cat Ginger scored mostly Cs and Ds. If your cat scored mostly Cs and Ds like Ginger, your cat may not be a good therapy animal. Your cat is likely uncomfortable with strangers and scared in new situations. Don’t feel bad if your cat scores Cs and Ds—your cat is probably a loving pet at home, but he’ll need an outgoing and laid-back personality to make a good therapy cat.
Therapy Groups:
Animal Friends
562 Camp Horne Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
(412) 847-7000
communications@animal-friends.org
website
DOGTORS Animal-Assisted Therapy, LLC
4033 Springfield-Xenia Rd.
Springfield, OH 45506
(937) 323-0925
dogtors@woh.rr.com
website
Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy Services
PO Box 5099
San Jose, CA 95150-5099
(877) 4FF-PATS
website
Love On 4 Paws Animal Assisted Therapy
c/o Suni Cookson
4005 Via Vico
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
(310) 204-4004
info@loveon4paws.org
website
Tails of Joy™ Animal Assisted Therapy
c/o Ellen Jennings
9 Iron Gate Lane
Cromwell, CT 06416
president@tailsofjoy.org
website
Therapet
15632 Hwy. 110 S. Suite 7
Whitehouse, TX 75791
therapet@embarqmail.com
website
WAGS Pet Therapy of KY, Inc.
P.O. Box 91436
Louisville, KY 40291-1436
(501) 563-9247
info@kywags.org
website
Additional Resource:
The Delta Society offers the Pet Partners® program to test potential therapy pets. Once a cat and handler pass the Pet Partners® tests, they can volunteer with therapy groups across the country. The Delta Society offers the screening at locations throughout the United States. The screening includes:
- Pet Partners® Team Training Course: You can take this class in person at various locations or follow the home-study course. The class teaches you valuable information on how to become a Pet Partner® and what being a Pet Partner® entails.
- Health Screening (for your cat): Your cat will need to receive rabies immunization and any other vaccinations your veterinarian deems necessary. Your cat also will need to be free of internal and external parasites.
- Team Evaluation: The Team Evaluation looks at how well you and your cat work together as well as your cat’s behavior in various situations you may encounter while doing therapy work.
The Delta Society
875 124th Ave NE, Ste 101
Bellevue, WA 98005-2531
(425) 679-5500
info@deltasociety.org
website