Thanks to my dear friend George Westcott and his Siamese "Peeps," my dream of a nonprofit foundation called Kitty Angels will come true!  Only an angel could have brought this grander plan to fruition.  Kitty Angels Foundation, located in Massachusetts is the first of it's kind organization specifically geared to the therapeutic and spiritual healing powers of the feline.
 
For thousands of years humans have bonded with their felines, and today we recognize that cats have a unique emotional and spiritual powers. They are like no other creature; just holding and petting a purring cat, brings stress relief and feelings of joy, or what we like to call "purr-therapy"

 

When Kitty Angels therapy cats arrive at a facility they have no prejudicial barriers to patients or clients who may be physically unattractive, missing limbs or wheelchair-bound. They purr or place their heads in the person's lap indiscriminately, regardless of appearance, language, impairment or physical disability.

 

 

 

 

 

Our mission

Our mission is to enhance the quality of human life by providing well behaved and trained

felines for visits to nursing facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, libraries and other Massachusetts locations.  We create opportunities human-feline interactions and recognize their therapeutic value to the disabled, elderly, ill or young as they recuperate, rehabilitate or simply live life.

 

What we do

Kitty Angels provides professionally trained handler and animal therapy teams to help people heal physically and emotionally. These teams, or members successfully visit nursing facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, libraries and other Massachusetts locations.

 

 

Why take animals visiting in health care facilities?

Visiting with animals can help people feel less lonely, and less depressed. Visits from cats can provide a welcome change from routine, or the renewal of old friendships. People become more active and responsive both during and after visiting with animals.

An animal visit can offer entertainment, or a welcome distraction from pain and infirmity. People often talk to the cats, and share with them their thoughts and feelings and memories. Animal visits provide something to look forward to. Stroking a cat can reduce a person's blood pressure. Petting encourages use of hands and arms, stretching and turning.

The pet makes it easier for two strangers to talk. It gives people a common interest and provides a focus for conversation. Many people in hospitals or group homes have had to give up pet ownership and they miss the casual acceptance a pet gives them. A cat pays little attention to age or physical ability, but accepts people as they are. The benefits continue even after the visit. The visit leaves behind memories not only of the visit, but of past experiences. It offers something for people to share.

 

 

What is animal-assisted therapy?

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is one of the many forms of alternative healing therapies. Animals can promote healing by means of different types of therapies, including physical, emotional and mental. Like all professional therapy, animal-assisted therapy requires professional medical staff supervision, establishment of goals and methods, and careful documentation of progress.

The value of animals in promoting healing and growth is becoming increasingly recognized among professional care providers, clinical practitioners, and educators. Today trained and certified animal/handler teams are used in medical, psychiatric, rehabilitation, and special education facilities throughout the world to provide a medium for assisting individuals where traditional methods fall short.  

 

Is Your Cat a Therapy Cat?
Most therapy cat owners say the most important traits for a therapy cat include a laid-back, steady, calm personality and a tolerance for the unusual. A reactive cat (who reacts before thinking) is not a good therapy cat. Therapy cats must be able to tolerate sights and sounds that are unusual; petting that could be different or hard; or any number of other things that are out of the ordinary.

The cats are also described as affectionate. Although the cat doesn't have to be as outwardly affectionate as a dog might be; purring, snuggling on a lap or on a bed, or other gestures of affection are important. To learn more about training and certification through the Delta society to see if your cat can become a therapy cat visit the Delta Society at Deltasociety.org.