Therapy Cat
About our Cats:
Delighting in the company of humans, our cats bring happiness. Their tranquil nature is palpable, echoed in the comforting sound of their reassuring purrs.
Screening kittens to be used as Pet Therapy Cats/ emotional support animals for families.
Therapy cats are not the same as assistance dogs, such as guide dogs or medical alert dogs for diabetics. They are not trained to perform a task, as cats cannot be trained in this way.
Instead, a therapy cat is screened over several weeks to serve as a companion cat that can accompany you and become an emotional support animal. We assess for pre-existing traits in the cat's nature, identifying which cats are naturally predisposed to adapt.
We look for cats whose temperament allows them to adjust to changing environments, unfamiliar people, other animals, and noise, and who can travel by car. They should enjoy company and tolerate handling without clawing. One caveat: kittens may scratch during play, but it is the adult temperament we are assessing for.
We have found that outcrosses make better therapy cats. Maine Coons can be very large and somewhat flighty or nervous, but they are adventurous, tenacious, and cope well with going out and about. British Shorthairs, by contrast, can be too set in their routine and dislike change, but they are calmer and steadier by nature.
By crossing the two, we aim to combine the best qualities of both breeds.
We are taking them about in a stroller, visiting people, public spaces, and site visits, as part of their training.
SITE VISITS
We have temporarily paused our Site Visit, as we don’t have any adult cats available at this time.
The site visit sessions are anything from 30 minutes to 45 minutes, when we can we offered a voluntary program, for our community.
If you are a library, nursery, nursing home or any facility which would like to have a site visit, please get in touch. With children we also offer a Story Boards recap.
We train a selection of our kittens to qualify in becoming a Pet Therapy Cat or become an emotional support animal. Please be mindful of anyone with animal allergies.
Site Visits:
Heathfield Primary School, South Ayrshire
Hansel Village, South Ayrshire
Spark of Genius, East Ayrshire
PineTrees Nursery Prestwick, Prestwick
Claremont Care Home, Ayr
Berelands House Care Home, Prestwick
Alloway Library, Ayr
Cat Therapy in the Community
More and more, therapy animals are becoming wonderful companions for both adults and children facing various emotional and psychological challenges. Whether dealing with depression, recovering from trauma, or managing anxiety, these furry friends are making a positive impact. Having an animal join therapy sessions adds a delightful and productive element, contributing to improved therapeutic results. Clients often feel a sense of calm, a boost in mood, enhanced self-esteem, reduced stress, and increased motivation when in the company of these therapeutic animals.
Sensory Activity
Our cat-focused Sensory Activity is simply crafted to offer a sensory-rich experience, aiding individuals with learning difficulties, developmental disabilities, or sensory impairments in developing their interaction skills with the world. Through the profound connections forged with therapy animals, we've observed a significant boost in confidence and enhanced ability to connect with their surroundings.
Our Cat Therapy Program
All our cats are bred by us, we are licensed, and reputable breeder awarded with The Outstanding Cattery Certificate. We have worked across generations, selectively choosing kittens that could work with the public, meeting the high standards required to qualify as a Therapy Cat or an emotional support animal.
Kitten Training Levels
Happy to be in a Harness
Happy to be taken in a walk in a stroller, sleep in a stroller
Happy to be handled by strangers, in a public space
Happy to sit peacefully on a strangers lap, in a public space
Happy to walk with a Harness, in a familiar quiet place
Sales
As we progress with our Cats for Therapy program we are able to offer for sale our retired breeding queens, studs and adolescent kittens from the programme.
A selection of our kittens for sale have been trained up to level 5, working towards becoming a Pet Therapy Cat. The level they have attained will be marked on their profile page below. More information about our Therapy program is found after the cat profiles.
Products
We use different products depending on breed and level of training.
Beginners
Training harness for British Shorthair kittens under 5 months
It’s lightweight, easy to collapse and carry.
Make sure you strap and zip up all the gaps!
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