Cat training program helps children with developmental disabilities – and cats too

Cat training program helps children with developmental disabilities – and cats too

A cat-training program for children with developmental disabilities fostered healthy child behaviors, strengthened relationships between children and their family cats and improved cats’ social behavior, a new study found.

New OSU Study Shows Training Cats Have Benefits for Developmentally Disabled Kids

File PhotoCORVALLIS, OR – An Oregon State University study finds giving developmentally disabled children the responsibility of caring for cats makes a significant difference in their growth. In the study, kids ages 8 through 17 cared for and trained cats. OSU Professor Monique Udell says they taught the cats to sit, stay and walk on a leash. “Children were showing increased caregiving responsibility for their cats,” Udell said. “(This) was a bi…