Therapy cats may not be as well-known as therapy dogs, but they are just as effective in helping people cope with emotions such as stress, anxiety, and boredom. According to Pet Partners, one of the world’s largest registries of therapy pets, cats are the second most popular therapy animals after dogs. However, training a cat to become a therapy animal can take time, patience, and dedication. When a cat’s love of attention is mixed with human dedication, it creates a beautiful and effective team that can change people’s lives for the better. Here are three people who do just that.
Keegan Taylor and Rom – Kansas City, Missouri
Keegan Taylor and his orange tabby, Rom, are part of The Kansas City Center for Inclusion, which provides a safe space and supportive environment for the LGBTQ community. Rom is one of the only therapy cats in the country that focuses on this community. Keegan, a professional groomer with animal behavior training, found the big orange feline as a stray on his doorstep in 2020. Rom was covered in fleas and ear mites, but Keegan cleaned him up and found that he was perfect for therapy work.
During support group sessions, Keegan brings Rom into the room, and if he sees that someone is sad or upset, he offers them an opportunity to cuddle with Rom. The big orange feline is passed around from lap to lap, receiving lots of pets and providing comfort to those who need it. The center’s staff always notifies attendees that Rom will be there, so that those who are allergic to cats can take precautions. Keegan says that he feels a sense of satisfaction knowing that he is helping his community.
Dawn Wise and Reba – Alpharetta, Georgia
Reba, the all-black cat, had a rough start in life. She was born into a hoarding situation, had an upper respiratory infection that caused one of her eyes to rupture, and then had to isolate for four months due to ringworm. Despite her tough beginnings, Reba emerged as a loving and social cat. Dawn Wise’s daughter fostered her during her isolation period, and after she became well, Dawn adopted her. Dawn took Reba to cat shows where she won many awards, but she wanted her to do more than collect ribbons.
Reba is now a certified therapy cat with Pet Partners. With that certification, Reba has been able to visit Atlanta-area hospitals, schools, and medical and government conferences, spreading her love of affection to others. Dawn says that she is happy to help her cat bring joy to people who need emotional connections.
Tracy Howell, Roger, and Sal – Scottsdale, Arizona
Tracy Howell is an IT manager at Arizona State University who has two therapy cats, Sal and Roger, who have personalities that make them great therapy animals. Sal, an orange-and-white domestic shorthair, showed up on Tracy’s doorstep, and she decided to keep him because of his wonderful demeanor. Sal loves hiking and enjoys leading ASU students on hikes, regularly visiting the campus library and fitness center. His brother, Roger, an all-gray domestic shorthair, primarily does hospice work, consoling people who are facing their last breaths, and providing sick kids with hope at Phoenix-area children’s hospitals.
During the pandemic, Roger even appeared on Zoom calls at his local public library’s “memory cafes,” to help keep people connected to one another during mandatory seclusion. Tracy volunteers at hospitals by herself, escorting other therapy animal teams around to the various patients who need special visits. Tracy also supports the therapy community as a local evaluator for Pet Partners, testing other cats who could be therapy animals.
Conclusion
These dedicated individuals and their therapy cats are making a difference in their communities. While therapy cats may not enjoy the same popularity as therapy dogs, they are just as effective at helping people cope with emotions such as stress, anxiety, and boredom. The connection that therapy cats make with their human partners is a special bond that is effective in changing lives for the better, one visit at a time.
