A Michael Broad Blog
This discusses the advantages of ‘virtual’ animal-assisted therapy for seriously ill children. Instead of direct interaction aimed at enhancing the child’s life quality, this study had sick children become pen pals with similarly ailing cats and dogs. The pets’ owners received training to craft replies to the children’s letters, optimizing the benefits for the …
The story, presented in the form of an infographic, is instructive. It tells us that when we can’t give a dying relative with dementia a present because they won’t understand what it’s for, they will instinctively respond to the presence of a cat or dog. Dementia or not, it seems that humans respond positively …
A recent study from Washington State University found “that students who exhibit the big five emotionality trait[s] are especially interested in cat visitations” according to MEDICAL NEWS TODAY. The Big five personality traits are openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness and neuroticism”. “Emotionality” means the strength of a person’s emotional response to stimulus. A high score …
The question is asking whether domestic cats can help a person get over PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). And the answer is going to be a qualified yes. The reason why I have introduced the word “qualified” into the last sentence is because people reading this want hard evidence through a scientific study that cats …
The three reasons why adopting a kitten may help you get over a traumatic experience, such as rape, causing suicidal thoughts and behavior are: Responsibility. If you are responsible for another sentient being you become useful. And if you are useful, you are not a burden on society or others. And therefore, taking on …
Well selected cats can benefit ASD kids and the cats cope well. The Feline Temperament Profile (FTP) evaluation process is useful in matching shelter cats with families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In an earlier post I came to the decision, based upon the studies that I had read, that FTP is …
My name is Zachariah Atteberry. I recently went completely off the grid so I could focus on my mental health since my world was collapsing onto itself. I found out that I am ADHD and have borderline personality disorder in addition to being diagnosed autistic. I have written two books up to this point …
Cats Protection have a beautiful story on their website about Dave who at the young age of 25 became terminally ill with a rare form of bone cancer. His wife, Olivia, had been thinking about adopting a cat for some time and they agreed to take the plunge at this very difficult time. They …
