Zoo therapy

The enemies of cats say that a cat only manifests affection when it is in its interest and can only be directed when they want food. But all those who love cats know that this is not true. Deep relations develop between the human being and the cat, and whoever lived with a cat will confirm the sincerity and constancy of their affection.

Even though the relation to an animal will never be able to replace a relationship with another human being, the use of a cat by zoo therapy offers alternatives to help certain categories of persons who are especially fragile.

It contributes to lessen the anxiety

It was discovered recently, that a cat is in possession of evident faculties of calming people down like hyperactive children, autistics and depressive individuals. Even extremely socialized, a cat doesn’t compel and hates agitation. If the child wants its presence, it will have to earn it. An unconscious mechanism gets installed which starts with the handling of movements and the voice to achieve calm and confidence. The “Nobody loves me” attitude transforms into an affectionate humming and into the appreciation to the person that gives it to the cat. By doing this the self-esteem of the cat develops positively, which is absolutely necessary for the psychological balance.

Having a cat means also to have a stimulating responsibility, especially for persons who don’t want to live alone. This interest for animals could be used by the caretaker to get in contact with the person that suffers.

It is very useful in institutions

The presence of a cat can be particularly useful in institution like homes for elderly, clinics or even prisons. In these often closed institutions the cat represents a small piece of the outside world. For elderly people, for example, who mourn their live at home, their partner or autonomy, the cat is the intermediate between the actual life and the life known before in the outside world. An alive, warm, humming cat can also be a welcomed distraction for ill people, who would like to forget their medical environment and sad situation for just one moment. Experiences in prisons have shown that cats that are allowed to get in and out of the cells as they want create soothing relationships with the prisoners. The prisoners being faced with a free creature without judgment has nevertheless to adapt his behavior if he wants the cat to visit him again.

The cat as a co-therapist

Even though the interest for the zoo therapy increased rapidly over the years and therapists use cats as a tool, it is not running a competition with the techniques of the psychology or traditional psychiatry.

The cat is often used as an intermediate, when no dialogue can be established. The cat is the co-therapist. To talk about the cat or subjects concerning them can help to regain contact between the human beings. All senses can be stimulated: the hearing, touching and seeing. Even if you are not able to touch anyone, you can always be tender to a cat…

(Institute of zoo therapy, Quebec )