If you are not already part of a registered Pet Partners or Windwalker Humane Coalition therapy team, there is no time like the present!
The program’s mission is to improve human health and well-being through the human-animal bond and TICA is the only feline registry worldwide to reward and acknowledge therapy cat teams.
Volunteering with your cat as a Therapy Team is a rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of hospital patients, nursing home residents and even neighbors who aren’t as mobile as they used to be.
TICA is the first cat registry where teams of cats and owners can earn titles, certificates, and badges for their feline by registering as a Therapy Cat and volunteering as a team.
Pet Partners is the leader in demonstrating and promoting the health and wellness benefits of animal-assisted interventions (AAI). With more than 10,000 volunteers making more than three million visits annually, Pet Partners serves as the largest and most prestigious nonprofit registering therapy animal teams, who improve human health and well-being through the human-animal bond.
Windwalker Humane Coalition is a dedicated group of professionals, Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) facilitators, and students. We are professionals who wish to respectfully work together for the development, advancement, and monitoring of the profession of pet assisted therapy and are aided by an advisory board consisting of dedicated individuals and related professions. Our Mission at Windwalker is for the profession of pet assisted therapy to be integrated into health care, rehabilitation, social services, and education at all levels and to advocate for the wellbeing of animals and humans.
Once your cat has met the requirements and is registered as a Therapy Cat by a TICA approved organization, such as Pet Partners or Windwalker Humane Coalition your team can earn 3 levels of titles based on approved visits made. TICA offers three levels of titles that can be achieved. While the emphasis is on helping others, along the way you will end up making new friends, and earn an invaluable sense of accomplishment.
Are you interested, but not sure if you and your cat are the right fit? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more details:
Therapy cats range from household cats to pedigreed cats, but the single most important characteristic of a therapy cat is its temperament. A good therapy cat must be very friendly, patient, confident, gentle at all times, and at ease in any situation. Therapy cats must also enjoy contact with adults, as well as children, and be content with being petted and sometimes handled clumsily.
Since therapy cats often work with people who are ill or otherwise immune compromised, therapy cats must be up to date on vaccinations and be on a routine annual exam schedule. A screening form must be signed by your veterinarian to confirm that your cat is healthy and able to participate in the program.
Therapy cats have been used to help kids with developmental disorders like autism be more comfortable and have also been found to stimulate both memory and forgotten emotions in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Other benefits have included strengthened fine muscle skills and enhanced hand-eye coordination from brushing and a decrease in blood pressure when being held.
Yes, the person handling the animal must be at least 10 years old. Those younger than 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must have written permission to participate from their parent or guardian.
Team registration is the process you and your cat will go through to demonstrate that you are both suitable and prepared for therapy animal work. Once you and your cat have met the requirements and registered as a Therapy Cat with a TICA approved organization, such as Pet Partners, your team can begin volunteering. Download the Volunteering with Your Cat TICA Therapy Cat Program Brochure to learn more.