Cat Therapy for Patients With a Brain Injury

Cat therapy, also known as Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), involves trained cats that provide comfort and companionship to people in need. Cats as therapy pets help many people with different problems, but often serve as therapy animals for people with brain injuries.

How It Works

• Volunteers bring their certified pet therapy cats to visit facilities, where a meet and greet occurs between the patient and cat. Therapy cats often visit people in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted-living communities.

Cats and People with Brain Injuries

• Individuals suffering from brain injuries may encounter various side effects including inattention, impaired memory, depression, emotional outbursts and slowed thinking. Cats as therapy pets are able to tolerate behaviors that may result from these symptoms, even rough petting at times. They must be able to handle an environment where sights and sounds are out of the ordinary.

Cats as Therapy Pets

• Only cats with the right characteristics can be therapy pets. They should be affectionate, quiet, steady and tolerant. They show affection simply by purring or snuggling. People suffering from brain injuries often feel they have a lack of control over their lives; however, the laid-back and calm nature of a cat can put these individuals at ease.

Benefits

• Therapy cats can help someone with a brain injury focus on something other than their situation. Individuals who are depressed may suddenly show an interest in their surroundings. Interacting with a cat can help lower blood pressure and provide stress relief.

Outcome

• According to the Humane Society of the United States therapy pets are beneficial for people emotionally and physically. "Studies show that those who have pets in their lives are better able to cope with this stress than those who don't interact with companion animals."