Nationally, the Delta Society Pet Partners Program has over 7,000 teams registered but only 165 are cats. The MO-KS Pet Partners Chapter counts Casper as 1 of only 3 cat teams registered in the region, and the first in the region to earn registration status being evaluated under the same rules as a dog team. This meant Casper had to walk on his leash during the Pet Partners evaluation tests and not be overly directed by Grim, his human team member. The evaluation tests included the following components:
- Accept a Friendly Stranger
- Accept Petting
- Appearance and Grooming
- Walking on a Loose Leash
- Walking through a Crowd
- Reactions to Distractions
- Coming when Called (dogs only – Casper was graded on this as well)
- Reactions to a Neutral Dog
- Exuberant and Clumsy Petting
- Restraining Hugs
- Staggering/Gesturing Individuals
- Angry Yelling
- Bumped from behind
- Crowded and petted by several strangers
Casper, a white Persian who is between 10 – 15 years old, is a foster cat through Columbia Second Chance (CSC) a local pet rescue organization. He has been with CSC since August 2004 and has lived with Grim since September 2004. While attracting quite a bit of attention at CSC cat adoption events held at Petco and Award in the last year and a half, no one has followed through to adopt the spunky and social Persian.
"Casper is considered a special needs cat," Grim says. "He came to CSC with feline hyperthyroidism, a condition that caused him to continuously eat while losing weight at the same time. The standard treatment for feline hyperthyroidism is around $1500. CSC was able to negotiate a reduced rate for Casper with MU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, with Grim and others raising money to pay for his treatment.
Once treated, however, College veterinarians diagnosed Casper as having feline high blood pressure, a chronic condition requiring him to get a daily high blood pressure pill. His monthly drug bill is only $10 a month but potential owners worried about his ongoing health issues given his age and high blood pressure. So no one has adopted him."
Grim decided to look for ways for Casper to be useful while he waited for a permanent home. She checked into the Delta Society Pet Partners Program and realized Casper did have a gift and a skill that would give him a purpose in life. He was extremely relaxed and social during CSC cat adoption events and even walked on a leash to attract potential owner interest. She theorized he might possibly enjoy the Pet Partners animal-assisted activity program.
To qualify for the Pet Partners evaluation in Overland Park, KS, Grim had to enroll both herself and Casper in the training regime with City Kitty Pet-Sitting Service underwriting the costs associated with the training, evaluations, and registration. Grim had to complete an independent study program while Casper completed a cat health screening at Columbia Pet Hospital. Then the team to pass two skills and aptitude screening tests together. The team was evaluated using the Pet Partners Skills Test (PPST) and the Pet Partners Aptitude Test (PPAT). The PPST tests animals on basic "good behavior" skills while the PPAT tests both the handler and the animal on their ability, desire, and potential for participating in animal-assisted activities.
