He didn't pass :(

Scratch didn't pass his test to be a therapy cat!

I'm a little sad, but it's also kind of funny. The animal specialist came over and was doing her thing. The last part of the test was to see if he could handle loud unfamiliar noises, she takes out a cow bell and rings it next to his head. Scratch freaks out and runs and hides. At that point she told me he wouldn't work out because of that reaction. My other cat Bit rounds the corner and starts trilling at the animal person, almost to say "Lady stop ringing the stupid cow bell, kitties are trying to sleep!!" She did tell me I had wonderful cats, but they weren't going to work out.

Umm, I can't imagine ANY cat that wouldn't freak out at a cow bell being rung in their face!
Oh well, you know he's a special kitty anyway.

So, guess it takes a DEAF cat to be a therapy cat The cow bell was causing Scratch great pain to his ears - doesn't that lady realize that only owls have more sensitive hearing than cats???? What a great disappointment for you and even more tragic, a great loss to all those lonely people who would truly benefit from a visit with Scratch and Bit!! As a mother of a brain-damaged child, I have seen plenty of such disappointments and hurts caused by well-meaning, but clueless, experts
I hope that Scratch & Bit get to be therapy cats, perhaps with a different agency, or perhaps on a more individual basis. Perhaps you could contact the local association for retarded persons and see if there is a need for a mentor who is accompanied by cats. I know my daughter would be thrilled for such a person who could enter our lives - even a few times a year. There are so many "closet individuals" who languish in loneliness, esp. after they graduate school
I hope that you are able to use Scratch as a therapy cat very soon

While I am giggling over Bit's reaction , and the expression he must've had, it's sad that Scratch didn't pass the test. I probably would've jumped too if someone rang a cow bell in my ear. Besides how many people needing animal therapy carry a cow bell? Who are they dealing with Old MacDonald???

Originally Posted by LuckyGirl

Besides how many people needing animal therapy carry a cow bell? Who are they dealing with Old MacDonald???

Click to expand...

I was wondering that myself!

I am sorry it didn't work out.

Oh that is just ridiculous! I would jump as well if I had a LOUD cowbell in my ear!!! I wish they would've gotten it though. That would have been so cool!

I don't think it was the noise so much as that the bell was HUGE! I just started laughing when she pulled it out because I thought it was a joke. I asked if she had had any cats pass the test. She said not many. I can't imagine why.

Originally Posted by LuckyGirl

W Besides how many people needing animal therapy carry a cow bell? Who are they dealing with Old MacDonald???

Click to expand...

Poor Scratch, though...that must have scared the bejeesus out of him.

Originally Posted by lookingglass

I don't think it was the noise so much as that the bell was HUGE! I just started laughing when she pulled it out because I thought it was a joke. I asked if she had had any cats pass the test. She said not many. I can't imagine why.

Click to expand...

I guess so.... I mean, I could see a loud beeping noise, like you might find in a hospital/nursing home, the sound of an alarm like on medical machines when something goes wrong the alarm will go off... but a cow bell???? I can't imagine any cats pass that test either....or dogs for that matter!

I'm sorry Scratch didn''t pass, but what does a cow bell have to do with anything? Has anyone ever rung the bell right by that lady? Did she jump ?
Honestly, sometimes people just amaze me!

if I have never heard a cow bell before, I would freak out, too. even though he didn't pass..he's still your special boy. give him a hug for me please. and even if he didn't pass, the lady is right your cats are still wonderful.

I worked in a nursing home for years as Director of Recreation & Volunteers & we had 2 cats who lived in the home -plus therapy dogs & cats,alpacas,pigs,llamas come visit on a regular schedule in addition to family members & friends of residents who brought pets into visit-alarms & noise never seemed to bothered any of them-You might check with local nursing homes & agencies for the developmentally disabled -many times they have individuals who bring animals in on their own-usually have to have current health records & rabies info for them to put on file-Check with the Director of Activities or Recreation for info-It's one of the best activities for residents so please don't give up

I wouldn't figure anyone would react well to a cow bell being rung in their face, I sure wouldn't! I'm just glad Bit came running to tell the woman to hush it! Scratch by far exceeded my girls. They would have done their little disappearing act the moment the woman came to the door. A stringent, picky test like this, performed by a stranger, no less, is no reflection on how wonderful your little boy is. Scratch is still a star!

I wonder if you would want to consider making pretty prints of Scratch and Bit into postcards and sending them with a nice message to some of the hospitalized patients who don't have family or friends? Most probably don't receive any sort of mail, so something like this would brighten their day!

Wow ... a cow bell... I would have run and hid myself...

Check with the hospitals and nursing homes .,.. as I have taken Gigi my dog in a few times all she needed was current shots and a reasonable dispostition( she is a yorkie and only dogs bother her)

Originally Posted by dawnofsierra

I wouldn't figure anyone would react well to a cow bell being rung in their face, I sure wouldn't! I'm just glad Bit came running to tell the woman to hush it!

Scratch by far exceeded my girls. They would have done their little disappearing act the moment the woman came to the door.

A stringent, picky test like this, performed by a stranger, no less, is no reflection on how wonderful your little boy is. Scratch is still a star!

I wonder if you would want to consider making pretty prints of Scratch and Bit into postcards and sending them with a nice message to some of the hospitalized patients who don't have family or friends? Most probably don't receive any sort of mail, so something like this would brighten their day!

Click to expand...

I could totally do that! I'm sure that they'd love it. I'm really not hurt by him not passing. The test was totally unrealistic. My husband jumped when she rang it too!

I'm sorry Scratch didn't pass(although the cow bell thing is dumb)!

I bet my Twitch & Ophelia would've passed that last test, though! ALthough, Ophelia probably would've bitten the lady by then...

A Cowbell? Why not a foghorn, or better yet, a sledgehammer! Geesh! What was that lady thinking- lol she's lucky sctatch didn't disfigure her for putting that thing near his head....poor cat! Doesn't she know cats have very sensitive ears? Sorry he didn't qualify. Maybe you can research another program to put him through Good luck. and don't be bummed- Scratch and Bit seem like awesome kitties not to take that ladies hand off after ringing a cowbell in their ears.

I have yet to receive forgiveness for the cow bell. Scratch just ran up and bit my toe! Oh well, I suppose I'd be upset too if I had a big scary lady ring a bell at me.