mental health therapy pet

missglass

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I got my letter today approving my kitten as a mental health therapy pet.
Due to ptsd,gad, panic disorder and agoraphobia.
Im disabled stay at home mom of a 6 year old and when shes in school this kitten has comforted me in ways i need... A compainion.
Physically i have stage 3a melanoma, interstitial cystitis, auto immune issues, and a non union (permant break) in my ankle.

Why am i telling you all this?

Because shes my first pet as an adult (28) i grew up with many cars, dogs, rabbits, ect.

This is a legal paper that i need this animal and a landlord can not evict me bc of it.
Now i have yet to talk to my landlord. But 3/4th of the tenants here have cats.. I know without this reason.



My question is in the short time ive had her ive noticed she helps me soo much.. Do any of you have therapy pets?
 

natalie_ca

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My cats are not official therapy pets, but they do help me mentally and emotionally.

I have chronic depression which for the most part is controlled by medication called Celexa.  However, at times when I'm under constant negative stress, my medications don't work very well.  They still do to a degree but the depression, though not as severe as it would be without the medication, still takes hold.

A few years ago I was having a difficult time at work and was being bullied by the manager that was there at that time. It was an awful situation.  After several months I couldn't take it anymore and was so depressed that I not only didn't want to get out of bed in the morning, but I was having suicidal thoughts, and even had formulated a plan. I eventually got my union involved but the damage was done. I went off on stress leave for several months, with no intention of ever going back. But the manager left, as did the clerk that was in my assignment (who was tag teaming with the manager), and things have vastly improved under new management.

During this time the only thing that was keeping me going was knowing that my cats needed me to get up in the morning and be there for them.  And I took comfort in them wanting to snuggle and cuddle. 

So in that regard I do consider them to be therapy pets.  Had it not been for them, I'm not so sure that I would be here right now answering your question.
 

laralove

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My cat is also not an official therapy pet, but it was recommended to me that I get a cat to help with the separation anxiety and associated depression I was dealing with when my kids were with their dad. He's helped with that, and my therapist has offered to write a letter to state to landlords when I move that I got him to help with anxiety. But I don't know the process to get that official designation. I probably don't qualify.
 
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