Registered therapy cat visits elderly community members

News release from Shelby Perusi:

When people hear the term “therapy pet,” they usually don’t imagine a 13-year-old rescue cat visiting residents in a nursing home – but that’s exactly what a special feline named Phillip Twitter does.

Alongside his owner, Dawn Crouse of Asheville, Phillip visits hospice patients, children with disabilities, churches and even pre-schools where he shares his calm, purring presence with those who need it most.

Phillip is the only registered therapy cat in Western North Carolina, according to Pet Partners, a nonprofit that provides therapy animal visits to people in need.

Phillip Twitter got his name because he likes to chirp more often than he meows. Crouse adopted Phillip almost 12 years ago from the Henderson County Animal Shelter after he was taken in by the shelter as a sick stray. And in six months, Phillip was a registered therapy cat.

In honor of Phillip and other therapy animals, The City of Asheville recently designated the date April 30, 2024, as National Animal Therapy Day, which will help promote awareness of the special comfort and support that therapy animals provide.

As stated in the official proclamation signed by Asheville Mayor Esther E. Manheimer, “The need for therapy animals has never been greater to provide comfort and support, especially after the impacts of the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and social discord in recent years.”

Phillip is only one of three therapy cats in North Carolina, and there is a need for therapy animals all over the state. Pet Partners is specifically seeking more cats and handlers to become volunteer therapy teams. Special incentives are also being offered for new cat teams.

The volunteer therapy animal teams interact with a wide variety of clients including students of all ages, veterans with PTSD, seniors living with Alzheimer’s, students with literacy challenges, patients in recovery, people with intellectual disabilities, and those approaching end of life.

Pet Partners registers nine different species of therapy pets: dogs, cats, horses/donkeys, llamas/alpacas, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, mini pigs, and rats.

According to Crouse, therapy cats have a different style than therapy dogs. Therapy cats tend to stay in one place for a while, making them especially effective for older residents in facilities.

According to a study on the cat-human bond conducted by Pet Partners in collaboration with Dr. Lori Kogan from Colorado State University, cats are able provide a special form of comfort that dogs cannot.

“Most people have no idea that cats can be very effective therapy animals,” said Crouse, describing Phillip’s on-the-job demeanor as relaxed, sedentary, and even a little bit lazy. “Phillip has a reputation for sleeping on the job.”

The Registration Process

Therapy animal handlers have a strong trust-based bond with their pet and coordinate visitations that benefit everyone involved.

The handler-animal pair takes part in an extensive evaluation process to make sure they will be successful with people in a variety of circumstances.

For a cat to become a registered therapy cat, both the handler and the cat must pass a rigorous process.

“Both ends of the leash, human and animal, must meet the highest standards to volunteer with Pet Partners,” Crouse said.

First the handler must pass the Therapy Animal Team Handler Education, and the cats and dogs must be at least one year old and have lived in the owner’s home for at least six months. The animals must also have a veterinarian health certificate and be up to date with all vaccinations.

All handlers must pass a criminal background check, and there is an in-person team evaluation which is based upon skills required for safe, successful visits.

To maintain high standards, the Pet Partners registration also must be renewed every two years.

But with the right type of handler and temperament of the animal, a Pet Partner team can become registered and start helping others in a short amount of time.

“Seven months after his adoption anniversary, Phillip was scheduled for his first therapy pet visit at a long-term care facility,” Crouse said.

To learn more about National Therapy Animal Day or the registration process for therapy animals, visit www.petparters.org/ntad.