Fuzz therapy
I’m going to say it straight out and I don’t want dog lovers to be offended. I’m a cat person. THIS DOES NOT MEAN I DON’T LIKE DOGS. Dogs are just fine…..especially if they belong to someone else. I am the grandmother of three dogs (my son’s). They like me and I like them but they don’t come visit me at my house. They are fine at my son’s house. Having that out of the way I want you, dear Readers, to know that when I say “cat” you are welcome to substitute the word “dog”.
I have had cats all my life. My children each had a cat. Mark now has dogs. My daughter and grandson have a cat. It’s a choice. What I do know is that our lives have been enriched and stabilized over and over again by our pets. My cats have seen me through moves, pregnancy, childbirth, surgeries, divorces, job changes and never questioned my wisdom or ability to handle the situation. They were just there to climb on my lap or sit next to me, consent to be petted and let me know that everything was ok (as long as I continued to pet them). 10 minutes with my cat could do as much as 30 minutes with a therapist. It could rewind the worst day and put it into perspective.
As I type this my cat is curled up in his “desk chair” beside me. His job is to keep me focused. I tend to wander. With his chair pulled up against the desk and next to my chair its hard to get up without disturbing the cat. All of you with cats know you don’t ever want to disturb the cat. They look at you with such….how do you describe it….sterness, kind of like a teacher looking at a pupil who can’t sit still. Or maybe kind of like passengers in seats A &B when the passenger in seat C needs out to visit the restroom. Not really snarky but not overjoyed at having been bothered when napping. That is the look I get from Tude (short for Attitude) when I get up from this chair to do something else – The “could you please sit still – someone is trying to nap here and YOU are supposed to be writing” look.
A friend I correspond with relates tales of her cats to me about similar things that her cats do. When they want attention it’s like trying to ignore a 3 year old. Any of you with children know that all you had to do to bring on the attention getting behavior was to be on the phone with someone. The cats are the same way. If Tom comes home and my attention (or his ) is diverted too long – for a cat that is about 3 minutes – when they want attention the act begins – nudging a pen with a paw close to the edge of the table where we are sitting. It will roll onto the floor. If that doesn’t work the pile of papers will hit the floor next. Still being ignored? Something is heard falling in another room. When you go to check the cat is idling washing its’ paw about 10 feet from the object in question. He looks up with a “There, now you have it . That’s better .” look and comes near for a head pat.
Dogs aren’t as subtle. They just insert themselves between you and the other person, head in your lap and gaze at you with soulful eyes until you recognize their presence.
And what does this REALLY do for us. Not surprisingly, it does several things. Pet therapy (as its called in medical circles) reduces stress, elevates mood, decreases pain. In short it improves our social, emotional and cognitive functions, including motivation.
Is there a basis for this or am I just blowing smoke because my cat is holding me hostage until I write an article about him? There is a scientific basis in history. Historically human survival was partly dependent on signals from animals in the environment. They could indicate an area was safe and secure or they could perceive a threat long before human perception could detect it. This has translated in modern day to our pets giving us comfort. When the animals in our environment are relaxed and secure we take our cue from them. Further add that our pets don’t judge us, criticize us, yell at us. We come into our home after a day in the trenches, especially those days when it seems the world is out to get us, and they greet us, treat us like we matter (even if its just an act to get cat treats) and let us relax into interacting with them.
I’m switching gears here a little because I want to talk about those who are ill, depressed, disabled in nursing homes, assisted care, or living at home alone, who don’t have access to this form of comfort. You may remember my blog about my mother’s insistence on living at home even though it was not where I felt she could get the care she needed. She went home in spite of my protests. She has been home now four months. Her three cats welcomed her with outstretched paws. They sit with her for hours every day. She strokes them, talks to them and lets them nurture her with their unconditional affection. Her depression has lifted and she is happy to be home with them in spite of her physical shortcomings. Pet therapy has been a significant part of why she is still alive. The difference in her emotional and cognitive function has been remarkable.
I bring this up because some of you may know someone who is disabled, alone, in a nursing home or home situation where they do not have a pet. Dogs or other animals can help people recover or cope with chronic or terminal illnesses. An organization called Pet Partners help bring together animals and people in need of pet therapy. The need can be any of the reasons we discussed earlier: depression, lack of sense of purpose, pain, loneliness, etc. Pet Partners provide visits with pets for those who can’t care for or have a pet in their living situation or help train someone to handle pets for this purpose. The training and assignment of the pets and patient is too lengthy to go into here but more information is available on line for any one interested.
Another solution for those who could benefit from Pet Therapy is sharing your pet, if your pet is portable, with a shut-in, for a visit. The animal must be calm and well behaved, gentle, not easily spooked. They must enjoy being petted and handled. Make sure the person would like to be visited by your pet. Check with the facility for approval and rules for bringing in the pet. I’ve seen this process at work. Several facilities and nursing homes in the central Ohio area encourage pet visits.
I think about what my life would be like without my cats. They provide comfort and company. When no one else will listen they are there. Without them I’d have to admit I talk to myself a lot.