Cats save lives. That’s a fact. So why haven’t they been deemed as service animals? Legally, they are not officially referred to as service animals. But cats have plenty of skills that we do not. For example, cats suss out diabetic and epileptic seizures before they occur. That’s proof they save lives. And felines earn praise for averting panic attacks in humans. The powerful noses of felines distinguish biological changes. They pick up on emotional shifts within the bodies of their beloved bipeds.
Cats Have Skills We Don’t
Cats have skills that we don’t. Have you ever watched you cat and notice when your cat’s ears change position?That’s because felines can pick up sound frequencies that are no perceptible to us mere mortals. Your fur baby has vision way stronger than yours. Whether it’s dawn or dusk, kitties see much more than their owners do. And it is a myth that cats cannot be trained. They can.
Cats Can Be Trained
It’s a cryin’ cat shame that felines don’t get their rightful recognition. Google can spit out tons of stories about cats saving humans. And no matter what you previously thought, news flash: cats can be trained. They are already working as service animals despite the legalities.
“Cats might have skills that are as yet untapped in this realm.”
— Bioethicist Jessica Pierce
Bioethicist Jessica Pierce writes lovingly about cats. However, her theory does not support my argument about training. She believes that pussycats are not legally service animals because people assume, (correctly, in her opinion), that cats cannot be trained. Pffft. There’s plenty of evidence that proves otherwise.
However, Pierce makes a legitimate argument when she points out that service dogs navigate for persons with visual impairment. Cat’s do not. “Although cats can certainly be trained,” says Pierce, “I don’t think they are behaviorally adapted to the sort of physical, mental, and emotional work for which dogs are so well-suited. Cats are not hyper-social, have heightened startle reaction compared with dogs, are not large or physically strong enough to support the weight of a person and don’t seem to be as tuned into human communicative cues.”
All that being said, Pierce adds, “Cats might have skills that are as yet untapped in this realm.”