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
Thanks Eva. I agree we should cherish the moments.
As to aiding people with emotionally challenges, I’ve had my own (ptsd, depression) which mine have helped me with simply by being a part of life I couldn’t do without regardless. Indeed I had cats beforehand. But again Michael is right… when they pass away it’s a whole new kind of pain that almost did me in itself. They just don’t live long enough either, even at around 17. The older they get, the more they “get” you too, then they’re gone. It’s a very cruel thing, that way. The best one can do is make the best of them, memorialize them, take plenty of photos and videos and write down things that endear them to you, and don’t try to replace them when they go… they’re all unique. Take time to grieve, and keep taking your anit-depressant medication, then in time, bring someone new into your life again.
Any animal can be what’s called a “Therapy” (dog, cat, pig, horse, snake, whatever), which is short of the official “Service” animal, which performs some kind of physical service, such as a seeing eye dog. Cats are uniquely suited as therapy animals to those who are uniquely sensitive, I think. Being more independent and less controllable than dogs, they can’t have as much privilege, yet. There was even a recommendation last year by a medical organization to restrict hospitals from allowing therapeutic visits of owner’s/patients own cats from visiting them in the hospital. Outrageous. I would be interested in training cats to be able to travel in public, but I fear it’s just not their thing. Even wild cats that do take to training, have a limit to how much they can be exposed to strangers and public chaos. Cats just aren’t dogs, but they’re very cool in their own respects, in their own home area.
What a beautiful and life-saving story for 2 of God’s special creatures.
i too suffer from mental health issues. i have type 2 bi-polar disorder, which mostly means instead of getting happy for long periods of time “for no reason” i go through the opposite. actually THAT is one of the main reasons we got Lex cuz we noticed that after rescuing Blaire my mood stayed pretty normal. this tanked when she died(which we shouldve expected since her mommy abandoned her), but within a few weeks wed visited & sat in with a few kitties. when i sat in with Lex, he kept nuzzling me over & over & thats how we knew he was THE ONE. thats not to say things have been all wine & roses, but its been noticeably better. i wish there was a way to make my kitty one of those registered animals. if u know how please post it cuz id really appreciate it.
Thank you Michael_ for posting their story.We should all cherish the moments we have together as do Peggy & Kirsty.
Eva say’s