Pet owners can understand the benefits of having an animal around. Animals serve as perfect companions and are known to provide fantastic health benefits. Having pets around the house brings in so much joy in our lives. It is due to these benefits that the concept of therapy animals is widely accepted all around the world.
It is essential to understand that therapy animals and service animals are entirely different. The service animals are individually trained to assist the disabled-people with their daily tasks. The service of these animals help blind, deaf and disabled.
Therapy animals are not trained for daily tasks. These animals are brought into healthcare facilities, and they serve as part of treatment plans. Conventionally, the best therapy animals are dogs and horses, but cats are becoming a common choice.
Ask a cat owner about the benefits of a cat and you will understand why they are becoming more popular as therapy animals.
Cats Are Great for Companionship
Healthcare facilities mostly use therapy animals in the treatment of people suffering from depression and loneliness. A common belief among people is that dogs are more affectionate than cats and are perfect companions. Studies have found out that cats are amazing companions as well, especially for women. They have the potential to fulfill an individual’s need for companionship. When a person falls victim to depression or loneliness, having cats around can bring them back to the colors of life.
Cats remember all acts of kindness and are known for returning the favor. That is one of the many reasons why cats are being brought in as therapy animals.
Therapy Animals for People Afraid of Dogs
Some people are afraid of dogs. It is another reason why the popularity of cats as therapy animals is at its peak today.
For treating patients who do not do well with dogs , healthcare facilities have begun to use cats. Cats are easy to bring into healthcare facilities and handling them is not at all challenging.
Interaction with Cats pave the way for a Healthier Heart
Studies have found out that cat owners are at a considerably lower risk of dying of a heart attack. The reason is the presence of a cat is very calming and can significantly reduce the stress.
Cats work as wondrous therapy animals when treating patients with excessive anxiety or heart diseases. The calming effects of a cat around beats any other therapy animal around. Also cats lower anxiety levels and significantly reduce the risks of heart diseases.
Help in Coping with Pain
Owning or being around an animal helps in coping with pain. The pain of losing a loved one is second to none, and causes extreme depression, and loneliness. According to several studies that have, the results put forward the fact that cats help people cope and get over their loss quicker.
As compared to other therapy animals, cats are great for bringing people out of trauma. With cats around, an individual is less likely to show symptoms of physical pain such as crying and insomnia. Cats are a perfect form of social support at the most critical of times.
Depressed individuals or people in pain after loss tend to talk to animals as they do not respond or judge. The response of cats is very calming for the soul, and it relieves the people of mental and physical pain.
Known for Performing Miracles in Healing
Cats are underrated therapy animals as their ability to heal people is miraculous. Over the years, cats have shown exceptional healing capabilities for patients of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and infections.
The vibration of the cat’s purring has healing properties. It helps in relaxing the body and calming the minds. Their form of unconditional love and comfort surpasses that of any other animal.
These are some of the reasons why, over the years, cats have become popular therapy animals. In the past, only dogs, horses, and rabbits were common therapy animals. After numerous studies and observations, the cats are now gaining a firm footing in the field of animal-assisted therapies.