A Day in the Life: Therapeutic Cats

They shed, are temperamental, and may be seen as lazy; their sleep averages anywhere from 13-16 hours per day. Given these possibly viewed negative traits, cats do still impart positive effects on their owners.  To mention a few, they help reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and appear to improve the immune system of children by reducing the risk of developing allergies and asthma; the cat must of been around at the time of the child's birth or shortly afterwards.  However, one of the most interesting findings to me was how cats help children affected by autism.

Children under the spectrum have difficulties socializing and fostering relationships. They struggle with communication in the verbal and non-verbal arena, and have limited interests in subjects. Although there is a host of other symptoms, I've addressed the main indicators of the disorder. Note that not every individual will exhibit all of these symptoms and the degree to which they manifest varies from mild to severe.

Now, imagine an autistic child who struggles socially being more empathetic and helpful to others, which helps him/her develop a sense of social responsibility.  Just by owning a pet, the child is given the opportunity to raise and care for the animal. In turn, the animal's unconditional love towards that child allows for an improved self-esteem.

Medical professionals are realizing the benefit of using animals as alternative treatment methods in unison to the "core" of standard treatments. In my opinion, it is always best to approach a medical condition from various angles. Most of the time, the methods compliment each other and address the individual as a whole.

When considering the use of animal therapy, be sure to research the many breeds to determine which type of animal will work best for your specific circumstance and your child's personality.

You may enjoy reading the following true story.  Cat Therapy for Autistic Children.