Kontakt 2013, 15(3):282-288 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2013.034

The use of cats in zootherapyHealth and Social Sciences - Review

Pavla Kohoutová, Ivana Gardiánová*
Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze, Fakulta agrobiologie, potravinových a přírodních zdrojů, Demonstrační a pokusná stáj

This article is mainly focused on clarification of issues concerning the use of cats in zootherapy, it describes used methods of therapy in the Czech Republic and informs about organizations dealing with the use of cats in the Czech Republic. It summarizes the principles of choosing the individuals for feline therapy and for selection of clients. It also focuses on health aspects of work with cats. Feline assisted therapy is a therapeutic interaction between a cat and a human. Only so-called AAT (Animal-Assisted Therapy, therapy with the use of animals) should be put there, but in the Czech Republic the term of feline assisted therapy also includes other activities with a cat in zoorehabilitation, not only therapy with the use of animals, but also AAA (Animal-Assisted Activities, activities with the use of animals) or AAE (Animal-Assisted Education, education with the help of animals) or AACR (Animal-Assisted Crisis Response, crisis intervention with the help of animals). In the Czech Republic mainly dogs and horses dominate in therapies, however, also cats and other animal species are used with success. There are other forms of feline assisted therapy, e.g. service for visiting homes, puppet fairy tales with animals, when, in addition to cats, also other animal species can be used. Also permanent placing of a cat with the client is possible, but in the Czech Republic still rather unused. The article describes a number of breeds, some of them are preferable, others less suitable but it is important to take into account the nature of a cat, the gender of each animal and to take into consideration other aspects of the use of cats. Feline assisted therapy, as opposed to the use of other animal species for medical purposes is not too widespread in the Czech Republic.

Keywords: zootherapy; the use of animals; cats; activities with animals

Received: January 8, 2013; Accepted: March 5, 2013; Published: September 27, 2013  Show citation

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Kohoutová P, Gardiánová I. The use of cats in zootherapy. Kontakt. 2013;15(3):282-288. doi: 10.32725/kont.2013.034.
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