• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

What is a Therapy Cat, and How Can it Help?

Medically reviewed and edited by Michelle Everhart, FNP-C

Understanding Therapy Cats

The concept of therapy animals dates back to the late 18th century, with Florence Nightingale recognizing the positive effects of animals on patients' morale. 

Cats – known for their calming presence and independent nature – have increasingly become popular as therapy animals. 

Feline-assisted therapy has been shown to have positive effects on patients with arthritis, autism, AIDS, ADHD, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and more.  

Therapy cats are trained to provide affection, comfort, and companionship to individuals in various settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and private homes. 

Unlike service animals that are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities, therapy cats are taught to interact with people to provide them with psychological and emotional support.

The Role and Benefits of Therapy Cats

Emotional support

Cats play a crucial role in providing emotional support and improving the well-being of the people with whom they interact. Cats can help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress levels among individuals by offering unconditional companionship and affection. Similar to dogs, interactions with therapy cats can lower cortisol levels and release oxytocin, the hormone responsible for bonding and relaxation.

Improved immunity and cardiovascular health

In addition to mental health benefits, therapy cats contribute to physical health improvements – including reducing blood pressure and heart rate – which is key for cardiovascular health.

The calming effects of cats are believed to reduce stress and anxiety, possibly strengthening the immune system and potentially decreasing the development of conditions like cancer and chronic pain.

Therapy Cats in Different Settings

Therapy cats are used in a variety of settings to assist different populations, including:

• Medical facilities: They visit hospitals and nursing homes to comfort patients, reduce feelings of loneliness, and promote faster recovery.

• Schools: Therapy cats help children with emotional or developmental challenges by promoting social interaction, reducing anxiety, and enhancing learning environments. 

• Rehabilitation centers: They assist people undergoing physical or mental rehabilitation by encouraging movement and providing emotional support during recovery processes.

• Personal settings: Some individuals keep therapy cats at home to cope with anxiety or depression on a daily basis.

Can Anyone Train Their Cat for Therapy?

Before beginning your cat's service pet training, you must enroll in a handler's course and evaluate your cat's temperament. 

If your cat is suitable for therapy work, with patience and dedication, it can provide comfort and companionship to those who benefit from therapy animals. 

Building a strong bond of trust with your cat is crucial. It helps it feel secure and confident during therapy sessions. Key components of training your cat for therapy are harness and leash training, husbandry (such as grooming and healthcare), socialization, and building trust. 

How to Get Involved with Therapy Cats

Organizations

Institutions can incorporate therapy cat programs by collaborating with therapy animal organizations and creating visitation guidelines. They provide the proper training and welfare of therapy cats and their handlers. 

Volunteering

Individuals interested in volunteering with therapy cat organizations can apply to programs that  arrange visits to hospitals, schools, and other facilities, following the organization’s requirements for training and certification.

Challenges and Considerations

While cat therapy offers benefits, there are challenges and considerations to take into account, including:

• Training a therapy cat can pose challenges due to individual temperament differences among cats. 

• Not all cats are suited for therapy work, so it is necessary to carefully evaluate a cat’s behavior, reactions to new environments, and interactions with people.

• Structured training programs are essential to prepare cats for their therapeutic roles. 

• It’s also important to understand the legal and ethical aspects of therapy animal certification, including guidelines for interactions with patients or clients. 

• Handlers must be adequately trained to effectively manage therapy sessions.

Who are Cat Therapists?

Cat therapists or practitioners generally have foundational training as mental health professionals — such as psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, or occupational therapists — and at least two years of post-qualification experience. 

How Can LifeMD Help?

While LifeMD does not offer cat-assisted therapy – as this therapy can only be provided in person – a team of licensed healthcare professionals is available to address your healthcare needs.

Make an online appointment to get started

Michelle Everhart, FNP-C

Michelle earned her MSN with a specialization in Family Nurse Practitioner from California State University. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys working out at the gym with her friends and spending quality time with his husband and three little boys. She also enjoys singing and freestyle dancing in their living room when the right song comes along.

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