Comments on: Cats As Service Animals

By: Liz

Liz — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:17:18 +0000

Hi there,
I just want to share this with anyone who is a sceptic of service cats!
My cat has not been trained, vested or any special training. But I have been care taking for a gentleman who had a brain tumor. He loved cats. So I decided to take my, approximately 4 yr. oldcat, to his home. I was a live in for 5/24’s. The cat was not necessarily overly loving to him, but definitely aware of the situation surrounding him. This last Wednesday, the cat kept going to my client and pushing on his hand. Usually he would just lay by Frank. But he started pushing on his hand as it dangled from his side. I noticed this and kept watching closely. Frank was losing the use of his arm. We started working harder to keep it moving, it didn’t, but worsened. Then that evening I received a Help call from Frank. What was strange is that before the calls started, my cat kept coming up and down the stairs. Kept coming up and pawing me, 2 AM. I ran downstairs to Frank’s side. The cat jumped on the bed and was rubbing up against him as to be trying to sit him up. I did so. At this time, Frank sat up and began to vomit massive blood. The cat went in the hallway and paced up and down. We contacted hospice and followed instructions. He took meds and became relaxed and discontinued vomiting. Went to sleep, in propt up position. Woke in the AM, ate breakfast and seemed better. He would doze in and out. When the cat sensed him starting to doze, he would whine at me, go back and push Franks hand. It was at the end of my shift,
the cat had just walked into the crate, normally I had to push him in. He layed down. When driving towards home he laid there, normally up pacing and whining. This time he just gave little meow’s. Frank died five minutes after I left. I look back at everything the cat did and I know he knew. Now looking into making him a service cat.

By: Judith S

Judith S — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:50:59 +0000

I am the proud owner of a service cat, She helps me when i fly for business, People are amazed that she will just sit quietly on my lap and not move for three hours and she is not asleep. I adore her and after 41 flights, she’s getting a well deserved rest at home off duty.

By: Angela Wasserman

Angela Wasserman — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:24:23 +0000

I want to know what I need to know what I can do to make my 8-wk old kitty into a service cat? she is very sweet keeps me from being depressed.I suffer from depression and my cat knows I need her.

thanks… Her name is Molly a cute little Domestic long haired Tabby…

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:39:42 +0000

I have seizures and two of my cats have been hanging around me a lot lately…I was wondering why and looked this up…I guess it makes sense…I have seizures every day and now I know why they are attached to my hip!

By: Cathrine

Cathrine — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:24:35 +0000

I would really like to find out more about this. I have panic attacks that cause sezuries and I would really like to get a service cat to help me out with alerts and treatment. The site mentioned help with traning, how does that work?

By: amanda-beth

amanda-beth — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:33:47 +0000

we all want to know were to get them certified and were to get the vest. I know my cat’s a seizure alert cat he taught himself i did nothing he started alerting me when he was 5 months old. such a natural. I would like to get him certifyied and if thats not posible at least get him vest becuase i plan on attending 2010 twinless twin confrence and really would feel better with him their to alert just in case.

By: chuck

chuck — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:03:52 +0000

My cat regards me as a service animal.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:53:41 +0000

Is there any other way to have a service/companion/therapy cat licensed as a service cat besides going to a doctor? My daughter’s father left several years ago and I had recently rescued a older cat well the cat sure made a difference in my daughters life. I was wanting to get her as a service cat but her doc. didn’t feel it was necessary and refused to help out in any way. Do you have any suggestions? Lost in Spokane

By: thewhiskersfoundation

thewhiskersfoundation — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:35:45 +0000

You do not need to pay money to certify a cat as a service animal. There are a lot of scams out there. The ADA forbids a business for asking for certifications. Once you’ve identified an animal as a service animal, they may only inquire what service a cat is trained for. Cats can be trained to detect seizures and alert you to them. They can also hear noises that a hearing-impaired person may not and alert you to them. They may be trained to pick up small objects for you. They may also be trained to assist with psychiatric disabilites such as depression or panic, although be aware that classifying an animal as a “therapy animal” does not mean that its status is protected by the ADA. It must be trained spefically to assist with disabilities such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism, anxiety, schizophrenia, etc. A landlord or a motel may not charge a deposit for a service animal, although you are liable if they cause damage. If they give you trouble, they can be sued in federal court. If you want to avoid controversy, and the scams which want to charge you money to “certify” an animal, just get a note from your doctor that the animal is important to assist you in managing your disability. It is illegal for a business to ask what your disability is.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:38:57 +0000

Please help me find a vest for my service/therapy cat.

By: elleanor

elleanor — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:34:15 +0000

can yu tell me where can I get a green coat like this one for my cat she detects my seizures
I have epilepsy and blind in one eye and I have hearing loss
Im thinking of getting a dog also to compliment my cat who detects my seizures

By: elleanor

elleanor — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:27:23 +0000

1 where do you get a jacket like this green one?

And do service dogs where a differant color one?

my cat detects my seizures all the time and stays with me and she is purrfect company

2 where do I get papers to say she is a service animal?

By: Deanne

Deanne — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:33:17 +0000

Thank you so much for who ever made this website! I am trying to find out what I have and it has come up that I might need a service animal. My parents didn’t think there was a cat service animal but thanks to you we do know. I am much more of a cat person. Thank you.

By: Tiki

Tiki — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:38:46 +0000

I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety.. recently I adopted a tabby kitten named Tiki. She is so attentive and dependent on me, it really helps me to cope with my anxiety. I haven’t had a panic attack since I’ve had her and I have even been able to discontinue my anxiety medication and am coping with out it. I get very nervous traveling and I would like to be able to bring her with me so that I will stay calm, do you think she would be able to be registered as a service animal?

By: Shonti

Shonti — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:41:44 +0000

I have a friend who has a service cat. However this cat has been harassed by neighbors and is now afaid of humans. Is there anything that can be done to ease this cats response to humans? Thank you, Shonti