Cats, often perceived as independent and aloof, possess a remarkable capacity for connection and comfort. Beyond their beloved status as household pets, cats are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential, offering unique benefits through what is known as Cat Therapy. This article delves into the world of cat therapy, exploring its advantages, the growing need for feline therapy animals, and how to train your cat to become a comforting companion in therapeutic settings.
Therapy animals, in general, are known to significantly improve the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of individuals across all age groups and life situations. From comforting residents in retirement communities to easing anxiety in schools and fostering a love of reading in libraries, therapy animals make a profound difference in diverse environments. In libraries, for example, children can practice reading aloud to a non-judgmental therapy pet, building confidence and literacy skills. Schools often welcome therapy animals to provide stress relief for students, particularly around exam periods.
While dogs often take center stage in the world of animal-assisted therapy, the unique contributions of cats should not be overlooked. However, statistics reveal a significant disparity in the number of certified therapy cats compared to dogs. Organizations like Pet Partners report having nearly 10,000 registered therapy animal teams, but only around 200 are cat teams. Similarly, Love on a Leash, another prominent therapy animal organization, lists just 63 cat teams out of over 2,800 total teams. This raises questions: Is there a lack of demand for therapy cats? Are dogs inherently better suited for therapy work?
The answer lies in recognizing individual preferences and needs. Just as some people are drawn to dogs, others find solace and comfort in the presence of cats. For individuals who connect more deeply with felines, or those who may even fear dogs, cat therapy provides a valuable and often overlooked avenue for emotional support and healing. Therefore, advocating for and expanding the role of cat therapy is crucial to ensure a wider range of individuals can benefit from animal-assisted interventions.
So, how can you train your feline friend to become a therapy cat? Drawing upon personal experience and insights from interviews with members of the International Cat Assisted Therapy (I-CAT) group, five key components emerge as essential for successful cat therapy training: harness and leash training, husbandry practices, socialization, and building a strong foundation of trust.
Harness and Leash Training: The First Step to Adventure
Many cat owners readily acknowledge their cat’s friendly nature, yet often dismiss the idea of cat therapy due to the misconception that cats won’t tolerate wearing a harness and leash – a common requirement for therapy animal programs. Harness and leash training is not only a prerequisite for many programs but also a gateway to enriching a cat’s training through experiences outside the home, which are crucial for socialization and overall therapy readiness.
While the image of walking a cat might seem unconventional, it’s becoming increasingly popular and beneficial. Reflecting on past experiences, even with initial challenges, highlights the importance of patience and understanding cat behavior. Like many cats, my first cat initially resisted wearing a harness, collapsing and refusing to move. However, with the knowledge gained over time, a more gradual and positive approach can be incredibly effective.
The key is to introduce the harness and leash incrementally and positively. Allow your cat to investigate the harness, associate it with positive reinforcement like treats and playtime. Start by placing the harness on for short periods indoors, gradually increasing the duration as your cat becomes comfortable. Reward calm behavior and tolerance with treats and praise. Once your cat is at ease wearing the harness inside, introduce the leash and encourage gentle movement with treats and positive encouragement.
Only after your cat is completely comfortable with the harness and leash indoors should you venture outside. Begin with short excursions to familiar areas like your porch or yard, gradually expanding your walks as your cat gains confidence. Patience and consistency are paramount. This step-by-step approach transforms harness and leash training from a daunting task into a bonding experience, opening up a world of exploration and socialization opportunities for your therapy cat in training.
Other experienced cat therapy handlers emphasize the significance of early harness training. Jenny Litz shared that upon adopting her cat Tye, she proactively provided his foster mother with a harness and requested he become accustomed to wearing it in various settings. Sarah Moor noted that while her cat Raul naturally excelled in other therapy skills, harness acceptance required dedicated training. Similarly, Sam Peterson, recognizing her cat Dallan’s special temperament from kittenhood, prioritized harness training as a key component of his therapy preparation.
Raul, showcasing his therapy readiness, by Sarah Moor.
Husbandry: Ensuring Comfort and Hygiene for Therapy Work
Concurrently with harness and leash training, another crucial aspect of preparing your cat for therapy work is establishing consistent husbandry practices. Husbandry encompasses the essential care and maintenance routines that ensure your cat is healthy, clean, and presentable for therapy visits. This includes regular attention to hygiene aspects such as cleaning eyes, ears, and teeth, nail trimming, and maintaining a clean and well-groomed coat.
Therapy animal organizations like Pet Partners have specific guidelines regarding hygiene standards. They mandate that therapy animals must have clean eyes and ears, fresh breath, and well-groomed fur. Bathing is often required within 24 hours of a therapy visit to maintain cleanliness. For cats, sponge baths, cleaning wipes, or dry shampoo are generally acceptable methods. Nail trimming is also essential to ensure safety and prevent accidental scratches, especially considering cats may use their claws for balance when on laps. Love on a Leash, while having slightly less stringent requirements, still emphasizes the importance of cleanliness, brushed fur, and trimmed nails before each therapy session.
Integrating husbandry into your cat’s routine from an early stage is highly beneficial. For my therapy cats, husbandry is a part of their daily morning routine, always paired with positive reinforcement in the form of treats. This consistent routine includes checking and cleaning Rainy’s eyes and ears, brushing her teeth, and grooming her fur. Nail trimming is typically done on the day of a therapy visit to ensure her nails are at an appropriate length. Establishing these routines not only meets hygiene requirements but also helps your cat become accustomed to being handled and groomed, further enhancing their comfort and suitability for therapy work.
Socialization: Cultivating a People-Loving Therapy Cat
The very essence of cat therapy is to provide comfort and emotional support to people. Therefore, a primary requirement for any therapy cat is a people-friendly temperament. Beyond being comfortable with people, therapy cats must also be at ease in unfamiliar environments, as therapy visits often take place in diverse locations such as retirement communities, hospices, schools, and libraries. These settings can present a variety of novel stimuli, from elevators and wheelchairs to the sounds of pencil cases and book carts.
How does a cat develop into a social and adaptable therapy animal? There are varying perspectives on the role of innate personality versus learned behavior. Some believe that therapy cats are “born, not made,” suggesting that inherent temperament is the determining factor. Dana Lesnick Gray, for instance, contends that a cat either possesses the innate qualities for therapy work or not, and training alone cannot fundamentally alter their personality.
However, scientific research highlights the significant impact of early socialization experiences on shaping a cat’s personality and behavior. Science Direct, summarizing research on sensitive periods in kitten development, emphasizes the importance of gentle handling by multiple people for at least five minutes daily during the critical period of 2 to 14 weeks of age. This early handling should include gentle touch all over the body, frequent picking up, and even simulated veterinary examinations.
During this crucial socialization window, kittens should also be exposed to a wide array of stimuli – new sights, sounds, smells, and situations. Reflecting on my own experience with Rainy, her initial fearfulness of noises raised concerns about her therapy potential. Seeking advice from the I-CAT community proved invaluable. Following their guidance, we implemented a desensitization program to help Rainy build confidence around noises. This involved gradually introducing sounds, starting with very soft noises like a spoon dropped from a low height, paired with treats. Rainy learned to associate noises with positive experiences, and we progressively increased the volume and intensity of sounds. We also invited visitors to create unexpected sounds like clapping, further broadening her exposure. Rainy’s socialization was truly a collaborative effort.
Rainy bringing comfort and joy to seniors.
Rainy and I getting ready to encourage young readers.
It’s important to remember that socialization is not limited to kittens. While early socialization is crucial, cats of all ages can benefit from continued exposure and positive experiences. The simplest way to socialize a cat is to introduce them to diverse people and environments, and harness and leash training provides the perfect avenue for safe and controlled outings.
Many cat therapy owners shared their socialization strategies. Cheri Cox socialized her cat Chico from kittenhood by acclimating him to being petted, sitting on laps, and accompanying her to various places. At one year old, Chico participated in a therapy preparation class that included practicing elevator rides and visits to outdoor malls. Jenny Litz socialized her cat Smokey by taking him to parties, parks, and friends’ homes, fostering a love for “going places and meeting people.”
Chico, a well-socialized therapy cat, by Cheri Cox.
Smokey, thriving in social settings, by Jenny Litz.
Other therapy cat owners employed similar methods. Tina Parkhurst exposed her cat Basil to car rides, pet stores, and farmer’s markets, which provided exposure to diverse people and stimuli. Darci Timmons took her cat Liza to pet stores, beaches, hiking trails, and city trips, all intentionally designed to enhance Liza’s therapy cat readiness. Sonya Stowers invited numerous friends over and took her cat Sputnik to stores and shelters to acclimate him to various environments, noises, and interactions with strangers.
Initially, Rainy exhibited nervousness towards wheelchairs, elevators, and strong scents. The therapy environments we visited were rich with novel stimuli, and I initially had to carry her between patient rooms as she was hesitant to walk on her own. Realizing the importance of broad exposure came gradually. After a year of working with Rainy, as I began recruiting other therapy teams, I emphasized the need for friendliness, comfort in new places, and harness tolerance. However, I initially overlooked inquiring about specific socialization training. This lesson was reinforced when a team had to withdraw after a security alarm startled their cat, causing it to hide under a patient’s bed.
When asked about essential characteristics of therapy cats, Kimberly Edwards immediately highlighted “non-reactivity.” She intentionally exposed her cat Millie to a wide range of sounds, smells, and touches, resulting in Millie’s remarkable composure in her harness. Edwards shared, “My boyfriend is a DJ, so we are constantly playing loud music. There was even a pet-friendly bar where he worked, providing amazing exposure with loud music and crowds eager to pet her. Initially nervous, Millie quickly adapted and became comfortable even amidst loud music and bustling crowds. During a fire alarm malfunction at a group home we visited, Millie remained unfazed, demonstrating her remarkable non-reactive temperament.”
Anne Ross echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the rewarding transformation she witnessed in her cat Yanni as he became less reactive through desensitization. “I observed him processing situations rather than immediately reacting in fight-or-flight mode. He learned to consciously choose not to flee when startled by loud noises, even turning to me for reassurance instead of running away. Witnessing him seek my protection and comfort was incredibly touching.”
Building Trust: The Cornerstone of a Therapy Cat Partnership
The final, and perhaps most intrinsically linked component of cat therapy training, is cultivating a deep bond of trust with your cat. This element is naturally nurtured as you engage in harness training, husbandry, and socialization, but conscious effort to build trust further strengthens your therapy cat partnership.
Terri Jennings eloquently explained the vital role of trust, stating, “It’s impossible to desensitize a cat to every possible situation, so having them look to me for guidance and reassurance is crucial.” Jennings prioritizes teaching her cat Baxter basic commands and fostering a strong sense of trust.
Understanding feline body language is key to building trust. Recognizing signs of contentment and stress allows you to respond appropriately to your cat’s needs. Cheri Cox advises that a therapy cat “has to have the temperament to enjoy visiting and not be stressed.” Jennings elaborates, “Some therapy cats need more time to adjust to new environments. It’s important to proceed slowly and learn their individual preferences.” For instance, during one visit with Rainy, a patient’s family repeatedly picked her up to place her on their mother’s lap. Rainy’s restlessness signaled her discomfort, leading me to discontinue those visits. Conversely, Rainy immediately sought lap cuddles from another patient from the moment we entered the room, leading to regular visits until the patient’s passing.
Providing a safe haven is another essential aspect of trust-building. Jennings emphasizes, “Therapy cats should perceive their carrier or stroller as their safe space, a sanctuary regardless of the environment.” Darci Timmons concurs, “We invested significant effort in training Liza to be comfortable in her travel bag. Liza now signals to me when she feels uneasy and wants to retreat to her safe space.” Dedicated daily training, whether focused on socialization, walks, husbandry, or desensitization, all contribute to strengthening trust. Anne Ross observed that Yanni’s reduced reactivity was “a byproduct of training, as he increasingly trusted me. It wasn’t a specific training goal, but a natural outcome of our growing bond.”
Janiss Garza, in her articles about therapy adventures with her cat Summer, consistently underscores the paramount importance of trust. She advises, “Training your cat for diverse situations is important, but equally crucial is cultivating a strong bond. Remember you are a team, and trust is the foundation. Your cat does the hard work, but only if they know you are their safe harbor. Summer remains relaxed in various settings because she trusts me to remove her from overly risky, tiring, or stressful situations. Summer knows I have her back, and her implicit trust is essential for our therapy team work.”
Summer, a therapy cat who exemplifies trust in her handler, by Janiss Garza.
The dedication to Rainy’s training has proven incredibly rewarding. While she remains alert to new people entering a patient’s room, she welcomes their interactions. Despite being aware of hallway sounds, she remains calm even during security alarms. Previously hesitant to visit bustling common rooms, Rainy now navigates them with confidence. And instead of being carried between rooms, Rainy now leads the way, confidently guiding me to each patient.
Interested in exploring the world of cat therapy further? These Facebook groups offer valuable resources and communities:
https://www.facebook.com/TherapyCats/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/TherapyCats.of.the.world/.
This article is dedicated to therapy cats worldwide, including my own inspiring cat Rainy, who continuously motivates me to be a better cat owner.
Allison Hunter-Frederick is an Editorial & Publications Coordinator, pet blogger, and cat behavior consultant and trainer. She hosts an animal welfare blog at lincolnpetculture.wordpress.com and regularly contributes to local publications. Her goals are to help strengthen the bond between people and their pets and increase pet retention through education and training. Allison and her husband live with a toy poodle and three cats. Readers can follow their youngest cat on Instagram at RainyTheTherapyCat
