From a very gloomy start for both cat and human both now support each other with great mutual benefit. This is a heartwarming story. It tells us that FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) positive cats can lead great and useful lives and that people with serious mental health issues can greatly benefit from a beautiful, close relationship with a rescue cat.
Kirsty Oliphant lives in Dundee, Scotland. She admits to having struggled with serious mental health problems. Kirsty has been admitted to psychiatric hospital on several occasions after suicide attempts. My heart goes out to her. There but for the grace of God go I.
She tells us that her life brightened immeasurably, overnight the day that Peggy, her FIV positive rescue cat, chose her as her human companion. FIV positive cats are less likely to be adopted at rescue centers despite the fact that it is practical for them to live with other cats.
As soon as they met each other, Peggy jumped on Kirsty’s lap. That’s as good a sign as you can get that a cat has chosen you.
“Immediately we had a bond and that has just become stronger and stronger”.
Kirsty also said:
“She brought humour, fun and comfort into my life overnight.
My life changed very quickly after Peggy came home with me. The despair lifted and having her by my side gave me a new sense of purpose and responsibility.
Before Peggy, I was in and out of hospital with mental health issues. It was a draining and difficult life. Yet since she arrived I’ve not been back to hospital once.
My life really has turned around. I thought my life was over but, thanks to Peggy, it is just beginning.”
Because of her mental health challenges, Kirsty was struggling with a sport psychology degree before she met Peggy. Now she is due to embark upon a mental health nursing qualification so she can pass on her experiences and knowledge. No doubt she’ll be recommending that people with mental health issues should seriously consider adopting a companion animal.
Peggy has received a special award from Cats Protection under their National Cat Awards program 2016. Kirsty attended the awards ceremony.
Peggy is now 16 years of age. That is quite an advanced age for a domestic cat. Kirsty needs to a least begin to think about how she will deal with the time when Peggy is no longer her best friend and companion. Kirsty should always have a cat companion. I know she will.
Source: Cat that helped turn owner’s life around wins special award
I think that it has been pretty much proven that cats are therapeutic. That’s one reason why they visit nursing homes.
It’s wonderful that Peggy has reached 16 years of age. Sadly, FIV cats are killed in kill shelters immediately. And, some ignorant cat caretakers would freak, too, and have their cat killed. Maybe they’re projecting about possible problems in the future. To me, killing a cat based on future “what ifs” is insane. There are “what ifs” with any cat.
There was a time when FIV was considered an immediate death sentence. Like HIV, that’s not true.
I have 2 FIV cats right now that are well, live among their FIV negative peers, and are 10 and 5 years of age.
I wish people would stop being so quick to kill any cat that may have a health issue or doesn’t have a standard facial expression. Who really are the sick ones there?
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I have been through the same mental anguish on the loss of my cats. There is the automatic downside to such pleasure, close companionship and support.
Great comment, wise words. Thanks Albert.
I completely agree with your comment. There are some great therapy cats but a dog’s character is better suited to the role by which I mean a public role. On a one-to-one basis in private cats are as good as dogs.
Ed, I have just noticed the last line of your comment. I am not sure what you mean by “registered animal”. You might mean being registered as a therapy cat. If you do mean that I’ll write an article about it.
Thanks Ed for commenting. Great comment. You have done well. I get a bit melancholy and my cat Gabriel picks me up. His presence is important to me.