When you see a therapy cat, they’re wearing their official vest and doing an important job in certain places where stress can be high: airports, hospitals, retirement homes, schools, prisons and many other places.
Becoming a therapy animal isn’t easy and requires a calm temperament, training, certification, vaccinations, and insurance. Such a rare feline has to absolutely love new situations that most cats would avoid. And they have to be consistently welcoming to people and other animals without showing any sign of fear or aggression. It’s so very rare, but there are some ameowzing therapy cats out there!
Wherever they go, therapy cats instantly bring a smile as people absolutely light up just seeing them. People automatically feel less anxious. So, their role is similar to an emotional support animal. Yet, there is a big difference between these two roles.
A Therapy Cat Isn’t Always an Emotional Support Animal
Did you know that therapy cats aren’t always emotional support animals? Take the story of Summer, the most gorgeous, fluffy meowdel and therapy cat since 2016. She is one of those rarest of cats who adores new places and situations and has a lifetime of experience.
Images of Summer via Facebook/sparklecat.com featuring Summer
While Summer is an outstanding therapy cat, she is no emotional support animal. What’s the difference? Like many, but not all, therapy animals, Summer isn’t focused on offering emotional support to one person at home.
“If an emotional support animal’s human is in need, that’s when their healing energy kicks in. Their life’s purpose is to lend support to their one person. My life’s purpose is to heal and entertain other people with the help of my human. Can you see the difference?” Summer’s blog states.
Summer Has an Emotional Support Human!
When working with her vest on, Summer loves interacting with people. But to do so, she requires constant support from her person. This person acts like Summer’s “personal assistant, stylist, bodyguard, photographer, and film director.” And it’s all volunteer work.
Yes, this wonderful caretaker is pretty much Summer’s emotional support human, who loves doing it.
“This is the most important volunteer work I’ve done, and I’m so lucky to have Summer to do it,” says Summer’s assistant, Janiss Garza.
If Janiss gets sick or upset, it tends to stress Summer out. Then, she retreats and can’t do her healing work.
“That doesn’t mean that therapy cats can’t also be emotional support animals. Many are! Just not me. I so strongly rely on my human when we’re out that when she shows weakness, it upsets me and makes me nervous,” she explains.
When the duo is out bringing smiles, Garza has to always remain calm and steady to help Summer.
Most People Want Emotional Support Animals
If a therapist prescribes an emotional support animal, they may be allowed in rental situations. But they aren’t allowed in public spaces in the same way as therapy cats.
“Emotional support animals ease the emotional suffering of their owners only. They are prescribed by a therapist, and may get special rights to live in an otherwise pet-free rental. Other than that, they are just regular pets and aren’t required to interact with other people. In fact, emotional support cats may even be a bit shy around people other than their humans,” Summer’s blog states.
It seems Summer was always born to be a therapy cat, a rare shining star who enjoys bringing light to heal people. But she can’t do any of it without her human assistant. The next time you see a therapy animal, consider how much their human is doing to make it pawsible for you to enjoy!
Thus, most people who say they want a therapy cat, really mean an emotional support animal.
“So if you know someone who says they are looking for a therapy cat, most of the time, they really mean an emotional support animal,” Summer explains.
For more, you can see Summer’s blog and on Facebook and Instagram.
How Summer became a Therapy cat via YouTube:
