Meowllo and welvome to another Service Cat posty. As with all our educational posts, the followin’ will be in human English so everypawdy can read or translate it. Me does wanna thank ya’ fur your purrayers, mommy’s feelin’ a little better today. Purrayer changes things fur the better. Alrighty then, let’s get on with our posty. Ifin ya’ missed any of the posts in this series, you can ketch up by clickin’ the links below.
Now that you’re all caught up, we have some great questions to answer today. As you read in a previous post, we alert mommy to a Syncope incident (passing out) before it happens. That alert allows her to get to safety before it happens. Otherwise, she would fall and could seriously hurt herself. We received a couple of questions about this. The first was, what actions do we take to alert mommy. Well when me was a teeny tiny kitten, me could barely reach mommy’s ankles. So, me would “dance” around in a circle and pat her ankles. As me’s gotten older, me’s method has changed a bit. Nowadays, me meows and taps on whatever part of mommy is closest. When we’re out in public and me is in the stroller, me sits up, meows and pats the stroller side that is closest to mommy, since me can’t actually touch her.
Raena has started learning to alert as well. She isn’t nearly as cute as me was, dancing around mommy and patting her ankle, but so long as mommy and her know what’s up, it doesn’t really matter. Raena generally meows and touches mommy with her paw. She’s a little small for the stroller yet, so we’ll have to wait and see how she alerts from the stroller. We’ll get back to you on that one. (FYI: Our stroller zips closed and there are 2 kitten sized escape openings on either side. We don’t have a small enough harness to attach her inside. At this time she would need a ferret harness.)
Now, we told you that we know this because we can smell a change in mommy’s body chemistry. Sick/Disease has a smell. We were asked if dogs could smell this too. The answer is Yes. Most all animals can smell sick, disease and death. There are many Service Dogs that alert to seizures, heart attacks and other illnesses; and more cats and other animal species than the general public is aware of. We don’t have permission to divulge names, but one of our facebook friends has a kitty that has alerted her to seizures for years. And of course you can read in the news at least once a month, about a heroic animal that saved his/her owner from _______(fill in the blank).
Animals are very smart and intuitive. With a little training most of us can serve a purpose and help the disabled. Because of the stereotypes about cats, we often get overlooked when it comes to training and socialization in general and especially being Service animals, Therapy animals and even Companion animals. Contrary to belief, cats can be trained. And for a lot of people we would make the perfect Service Animal. We can and do groom ourselves, use a litterbox, don’t need to go outside or be walked and are extremely affectionate. We are not loners by choice. We love our humans and love to be with them and please them.
Remember when wee told you that Raena is already learning massage? Well, this morning when we woke up, she immediately took her place and started massaging mommy’s arms. ‘Course she is still a very young kitten so after a few minutes, she started jumping around and playing. First off, that’s okay. Remember, fun training is often more successful than yelling at and being stern all the time. There is a time for stern, but it doesn’t have to be all the time. Mommy says that most disabled people have some form or level of depression; so anything that can make you laugh or smile, is a good thing. Not always with a full bladder, but… Anyways, mommy gently spoke to Raena and got her to focus again, and get the blood circulating and the nerves and muscles to wake up in mommy’s arms so we could get up and get our day started.
We would like to put a call out to you all. Do you have or know a Service Cat, Certified Therapy Cat or Certified Companion Cat? As we’ve told you, these are three different categories and shouldn’t be used interchangeably or mistaken for the term pet. Fur the full definitions of each term, purrlease check out our Service Animal tab in the menu bar. We would love to share guest posts about them with everybody. Me’s gonna wrap it up now. The lawn crew’s here, and that means it’s time fur me to nap UTB/C (under the bed/chair). Seems Raena couldn’t care less, but me’s not convinced all that noise is okay. Ifin you have any questions purrlease let us know.
Do you know any Service Animals personally?
Do you have any additional questions about Service, Therapy or Companion animals? (please be specific)
I have peripheral neuropathy and get extreme nerve pain in my feet, ankles, legs. The pains are very sharp at first and then you get continuous residual pain that is very strong and can last for hours or days. The last few days my left leg hurts from the top of my thigh to my ankle and is continuous. It hurts to walk. Do you think a service cat massaging my legs every morning would help and how do you train them to that specific area? Do they smell pain?
Also my brother has seizures and has 3 dogs. One of whom he is very close to. The other two are more his wife’s dogs. Can he train them for seizures?
You can email me at missjulieathome@ gmail.com. I only check that email about once a week though as I am too busy on work email. Plus you can answer in this blog if you have any insight you can give me. Thank you.
Thank you. We really appreciate the information you give to us. I wish I could help you guys in other ways, but I’m not in the best financial shape fight now. But life is getting better and things are looking up!
That’s super interesting ! We love your posts about Service Cats, and how you trained and how Raena is already training, even if she’s still a kitten. We learn a lot ! Purrs
We know animals are super sensitive to so many things so the fact they can sense illness or danger or that something is about to happen is no surprise – we are TUNED IN – especially to our humans. I definitely know when Mom hurts or needs extra hugs and I’m right there just like she is for me. You girls are just what your Mom needs in order to live the best life she can – if not for you, she’d be in danger alone. Thanks for telling us all about the amazing life of service animals!
thats a super good reason to listen more to our furfriends… maybe a lot of pets smelled that something is wromng with their owner and some things could be prevented if we had read the signs… I will look for books or informations to learn more about the instinct of our pets, that is super interesting… many thanks to you for explaining a lot of new things!!!
Y you are so right. Us animals can sense things in da air, da wind change befur it happens, rain befur it falls and da chemistry of da human body is nuffin’. Fanks fur readin’ and takin’ an innerest.
Another great post. Always love reading about the training and just anything you girls do. Glad Mommy is feeling some better. Always have you all in my prayers.
Love you all so very much. Hugs and kisses.
Mary
Thanks for the last two great informative posts, dear Dezi! It’s wonderful that little Raena seems to be learning her new duties with curiosity and willingness! Two good kitty traits!! Pat
Excellent post! It just amazes me that you can tell when your Mommy is going to pass out. I know some of my cats know when I am sick and will knead me and purr. I haven’t met any in person ( fur) , but I love your blog and I follow Summer the therapy cat’s blog too. XO
We don’t know any service animals purrsonally, but we have seen them out and about. We knew dogs could smell disease, but not cats. But then again, why not cats? We can smell just as good as, if not better, than dogs. 🙂
Mommy wants to know how Mom Audra actually trains you hoot do thing like the arm massage. Do you have to be a kitten to be able to learn these things? Raena sure is getting big quickly. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
dezi & raena; coz of de volunteerz werk de food servizz gurlz dad haz done in hiz lifetime; we has hurd but dawgs…but frank lee bee fore we meeted ewe; we dinna noe but catz…we like reedin theeze postz N say thanx two yur mom for puttin em two gether …we look for werd ta reedin mor bout servizz catz ♥♥♥
Service Cats U.S. 
I have peripheral neuropathy and get extreme nerve pain in my feet, ankles, legs. The pains are very sharp at first and then you get continuous residual pain that is very strong and can last for hours or days. The last few days my left leg hurts from the top of my thigh to my ankle and is continuous. It hurts to walk. Do you think a service cat massaging my legs every morning would help and how do you train them to that specific area? Do they smell pain?
Also my brother has seizures and has 3 dogs. One of whom he is very close to. The other two are more his wife’s dogs. Can he train them for seizures?
You can email me at missjulieathome@ gmail.com. I only check that email about once a week though as I am too busy on work email. Plus you can answer in this blog if you have any insight you can give me. Thank you.
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We’ll send you an email and pawssibly post ’bout this as well.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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Thank you. We really appreciate the information you give to us. I wish I could help you guys in other ways, but I’m not in the best financial shape fight now. But life is getting better and things are looking up!
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We’re glad things are looking up. We certainly know ’bout no moneys. MOL
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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That’s super interesting ! We love your posts about Service Cats, and how you trained and how Raena is already training, even if she’s still a kitten. We learn a lot ! Purrs
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Fank you. Kittenhood is a great time fur trainin’ cz they be so innerested in everythin’.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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We know animals are super sensitive to so many things so the fact they can sense illness or danger or that something is about to happen is no surprise – we are TUNED IN – especially to our humans. I definitely know when Mom hurts or needs extra hugs and I’m right there just like she is for me. You girls are just what your Mom needs in order to live the best life she can – if not for you, she’d be in danger alone. Thanks for telling us all about the amazing life of service animals!
Love, Sammy
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Fanks Sammy. Our mommies are very blest to have us. Just as blest as we are to have them, huh?.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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thats a super good reason to listen more to our furfriends… maybe a lot of pets smelled that something is wromng with their owner and some things could be prevented if we had read the signs… I will look for books or informations to learn more about the instinct of our pets, that is super interesting… many thanks to you for explaining a lot of new things!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Y you are so right. Us animals can sense things in da air, da wind change befur it happens, rain befur it falls and da chemistry of da human body is nuffin’. Fanks fur readin’ and takin’ an innerest.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
LikeLike
Another great post. Always love reading about the training and just anything you girls do. Glad Mommy is feeling some better. Always have you all in my prayers.
Love you all so very much. Hugs and kisses.
Mary
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Fank you awnty Mary. We luv you too.
Hugs and Kitty Kisses
Dezi and Raena
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Thanks for the last two great informative posts, dear Dezi! It’s wonderful that little Raena seems to be learning her new duties with curiosity and willingness! Two good kitty traits!! Pat
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She’s really smart and ready to try anything.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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Excellent post! It just amazes me that you can tell when your Mommy is going to pass out. I know some of my cats know when I am sick and will knead me and purr. I haven’t met any in person ( fur) , but I love your blog and I follow Summer the therapy cat’s blog too. XO
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Fanks awnty Ellen. We’s glad we’s your furiends too.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Raena
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We don’t know any service animals purrsonally, but we have seen them out and about. We knew dogs could smell disease, but not cats. But then again, why not cats? We can smell just as good as, if not better, than dogs. 🙂
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Mommy wants to know how Mom Audra actually trains you hoot do thing like the arm massage. Do you have to be a kitten to be able to learn these things? Raena sure is getting big quickly. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
LikeLiked by 1 person
dezi & raena; coz of de volunteerz werk de food servizz gurlz dad haz done in hiz lifetime; we has hurd but dawgs…but frank lee bee fore we meeted ewe; we dinna noe but catz…we like reedin theeze postz N say thanx two yur mom for puttin em two gether …we look for werd ta reedin mor bout servizz catz ♥♥♥
LikeLiked by 1 person