Therapy cats can provide a little relief for a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional ailments.

A good candidate for a therapy cat is:

What Can a Therapy Cat Help With?

Could Your Cat be a Therapy Cat?

Who May Benefit From Therapy Cats?

Depression

Healing

Autism

Sick Children or Adults

Children with Autism

The Elderly

Children or Adultswith Depression

Alzheimer’s

Stress

Pain

Calm

Comfortable with new people and animals

Ok in new environments

Able to wear a harness and leash

Not aggressive

Physically healthy

Sourceshttp://www.catchannel.com/activities/fun/article_22210.aspxhttp://www.aspca.org/nyc/aspca-animal-assisted-therapy-programshttp://www.consensus.nih.gov/1987/1987HealthBenefitsPetsta003html.htmhttp://www.winona.edu/counseloreducation/images/justine_jackson_capstone.pdfhttp://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/der/branches/cdbb/programs/psad/hai/pages/overview.aspxhttp://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/03/09/146583986/pet-therapy-how-animals-and-humans-heal-each-otherhttp://www.petcentric.com/Read/articles/therapy-cats.aspx?articleid=eecc8dae-02dc-478e-a7ce-51bac064b050http://www.ukessays.com/essays/psychology/case-approach-to-animal-assisted-therapy-and-autism-psychology-essay.php

Reduce StressCats help you relax and take your stress level down a notch.

Faster HealingIf you are sick or in an accident, a feline companion may help you get better more quickly. The kneading massages they give can be beneficial to your health, as well.

Fewer StrokesSome studies show that having a cat may reduce your risk of stroke by up to 40%.

Calming EffectA cat's purr may calm you down and also help relieve pain.

Health Benefitsof Cats

The

With all the benefits of cats, whywouldn't you adopt one today?

Adopta kitty!

Disclaimer: You should always check with your doctor or professional healthcare provider before starting or changing any medical treatment. This infographic is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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If you’ve ever used the internet, you know how much humans love cats. But did you know that cats’ calm, gentle nature has potential health benefits for people? These traits are now being put to use with therapy cats, who help adults and children that are physically, mentally, or emotionally ailing.