A little snippet from the Neurological Foundation caught my eye: Research has found that "owning a cat can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by more than a third."  Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that having a cat helped to relieve stress and anxiety, which is known to help protect against heart disease by lowering blood pressure and reducing the heart rate.

I have noticed how people can freely express love and tenderness to cats in front of others where they may struggle to freely express these emotions with people. I do not have a cat but the neighbour's cat comes to our house for her regular sessions of attention, so maybe access to a cat is all that is really required?  What do you think?

Thanks for adding this in here Helen. I have heard and read of this study before. I am under the impression that cats can be quite healing. However, if someone has an aversion to cats or an allergy to cats, they can be quite anxiety provoking. Let me speak to that aversion for a minute.

Part of the reason we suffer in life is because we are unaware of how we react to discomfort day to day. Usually we act with aversion to it because we don't want to feel any pain. However, part of our work here to create more peace in our lives is to be able to notice when we're experiencing pain, discomfort, or distress on the physical/emotional levels and to not react in the same old ways we have been.

So if someone does have an aversion to cats, this may be a perfect place to practice. See if you can notice how this discomfort shows up physically, bring attention to the actual sensation. Know that this sensation is impermanent and there isn't a need to react with this aversion which only increases our angst in the end. See if you can realize this discomfort comes and goes and be open to what the cat may bring as far as things you find pleasant (e.g., look, feel of the fur, sound of the purr).

Thoughts on this?

 Pet therapy, seems to have gained in popularity, and I have noticed that oral healthcare practicioners have long used tropical fish in their waiting rooms. I believe this is because watching the fish keeps you calm and relaxed  - less anxiety = less pain and less dificulty with the procedures. 

So there are at least two types of responses here. One is purely visual, I have yet to see some one stroke a fish at the dentist, and the other seems tactile.  But I wonder if pet thereapy works on empathy or something else. Would for example a soft toy work as well if you have an allergy to a cat or dog?