This is a picture
of Meyer, who is a Pets & People certified Pet Assistant. Meyer
is a shorthaired, red spotted & white Scottish Fold [cat]. He
is just over 2 yrs old and is a GrandPremier in CFA and a SupremeGrandChampionAlter
in TICA. His registered name is Linanci's Lochloosa ChiggEar and
he was bred by Linnea Danielsen and is owned by Lynne
Johnston.
Meyer regularly visits a rehabilitation center where there are a number of people with very traumatic spinal cord injuries. The was one young woman who in a year had not been able to remember the name of her physical therapist. She and Meyer were introduced during one therapy session and the next week when Meyer return, this young woman not only recognized him but said his name.
Meyer was removed from showing because of his allergies. We knew it wasn't being out and around people that bothered him because Meyer had attended summer school almost every day and loved it. He'd sit in the library of the elementary school in his tokyo cage and bask in all the attention from kids and teachers alike.
It was around this time that Lynne met Pat Gonser and learned about the Pets & People organization. Knowing how much Meyer loved to be around people, she thought it would be something that they could do that wouldn't stress him like the shows did and could possibly really help others at the same time.
So, the training started and was completed successfully. Meyer started visiting first at the local rehabilitation center and has recently expanded his forays to include a nursing home. He's developed quite a following and is starting to be asked for signed photos.
Meyer knows the days that are "therapy days" and loads himself into his carrier before Lynne's barely in the door from school. He loves going, visiting and purring for the people who need the companionship. Lynne and Meyer are truly giving a wonderful gift to others.
