Introduction
Animals are irreplaceable companions for people since ancient times. Among all domesticated species, cats and dogs are often held in the biggest regard, and many keep them as household pets. A cat or a dog can be a play partner, a source of support, entertainment for oneself and one’s children, and much more. However, the effect of domestic animals on mental health is less frequently considered, or discussed.
Oftentimes, pet owners say that their loved companions can feel their negative emotions, or provide support in times of need. This process can extend from simply being together with one’s pet to animals actively seeking out the human in need. Therefore, there is a deep potential for applying animals in healthcare settings, mental health support, or counseling.
In order to understand the real impact pets may have on people’s wellness, it is necessary to consult existing evidence and conduct more investigation into the subject. In this work, the focus will be put primarily on cats, and their ability to improve the mental wellbeing of people, soothe anxiety and enhance mood. Research into the subject will be discussed, along with my proposition of using cats as part of therapy and counseling.
They Say
Some animals can be taught to help individuals and promote human wellness. This is best exemplified with dogs, who can be trained in order to help impaired people to live a more fulfilling life or rescue individuals from dangerous situations (“Service animals and emotional support animals,” n.d.). Such animals are usually called service animals, due to being utilized in service of people. Cats, however, are not currently recognized as service animals, and there are far less attempts to teach them the same set of skills currently trained in dogs (O’Brien, 2021). This is partially due to a difference in size and complexion, along with the unique traits of canines and felines.
However, some pet experts, researchers and mental health professionals consider cats to be useful in supporting human wellness. Even without an officially recognized title, some cats are used for emotional support and therapy. Furthermore, there are courses made specifically to certify cats in supporting humans. Some organizations explicitly specialize in classifying or certifying cats as support animals, helping owners better utilize the potential of their pets (“Emotional support cats | Benefits & how to register your cat,” 2022).
There are two common types of support cats – emotional support cats and therapy cats. The first type concerns those felines that are able to soothe individuals and reduce their level of stress. Such cats can be great for people with depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders. While almost any cat can be used for emotional support, a certificate of recognition from an organization allows cat owners to take their precious friends to flights or other areas where pets are normally not allowed.
Therapy cats, then, are specific types of felines that are trained to assist other people. Any cat can be an emotional support cat, but therapy cats need to pass a certain threshold of competency in order to be used with patients (Parker, 2019). The benefit of cats as therapy animals comes from their size, their softness and their ability to purr (“Why therapy cats are just as effective as therapy dogs,” 2020). All of these qualities combined make them a source of comfort and relaxation for many. According to the existing body of research, cats are used by a considerable number of professionals as a tool of better connecting with their patients, addressing negative emotions and promoting a better, more open atmosphere during therapy.
I Say
According to the aforementioned sources, cats are already being used as a source of emotional stability, wellness and mental health support. However, the general public rarely considers felines as truly capable of supporting people or being worthy of the service animal title. I think that cats are able to uniquely support the population, partially because of their status as temperamental and self-serving animals. There are certain common perceptions regarding cats and dogs, with the former being seen as standoffish, selfish, and unruly, while the latter is loyal and obedient.
People expect dogs to be trained, to respond positively to affection, compared to cats who can react passively or violently to physical touch. I propose that cats can perform the role of an emotional support animal better precisely because of their “tainted” reputation. In a therapy setting, the patient interacting with a cat that allows itself to be pet and purrs would feel special. Seeing a normally temperamental type of animal take a liking of themselves, the patient will see themselves as valuable and important, all the while receiving the support and encouragement of both the animal and the mental health professional. I think that people have a wider potential for a positive response when specifically trained cats are used in therapy settings, compared to dogs.
Research Agenda
In order to test this theory, it will be necessary to create at least two test groups of participants who require therapy. The control group will be receiving normal therapy sessions, while the other will engage in treatment with a therapy animal. Each of the participants of the second group would spend equal time with a cat and a dog, receiving counseling and being able to freely interact with the animal. The results of each therapy session, along with the thoughts of the participants will be recorded.
After the end of the experiment, each participant from the second group will also be asked to gauge their level of emotional wellness and decide whether they felt more comforted by a cat or a dog. The research timeframe should be around a month, so that considerable therapeutic effects can be felt. Using this research design, it would be possible to determine whether cats or dogs are better as therapy animals, in addition to identifying the role of felines in mental health support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, animals play an extremely important role in supporting humans, both in people’s daily lives and special needs. For many individuals, cats, dogs, and other creatures are an irreplaceable part of life. In both work and leisure, they have their benefits. Cats, in particular, are very versatile, and often overlooked as lifelong human partners. Despite this fact, cats have a great potential to be emotionally supportive, soothing, and helpful to many. Their status as a therapy animal must be strengthened and identified more clearly. For this purpose, specific avenues of research should be explored. This paper has successfully outlined a potential research idea that can determine the effectiveness of cats as therapy animals. After conducting this type of research, a wider potential for the application of felines, and a better understanding of cats as human partners will be achieved.
References
Emotional support cats | Benefits & how to register your cat. (2022). US Service Animals Blog. Web.
O’Brien, C. (2021). Service cats: Giving emotional support to pet parents. Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Web.
Parker, E. (2019). Therapy cats: How to get one, train yours to be certified, and more. Catological. Web.
Service animals and emotional support animals. (n.d.). ADA National Network | Information, Guidance and Training on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Web.
Why therapy cats are just as effective as therapy dogs. (2020). School of Veterinary Medicine. Web.