After rough start, therapy cat helps spread joy

INDIANA -- Mr. Baggins was only a kitten when he was abandoned in a duct-taped box with his mother and four siblings.

Now this 13-year-old cat is inspiring children with his story and bringing joy to countless hospital and hospice patients every day.

Cathy Albrecht, of LaPorte, first met Mr. Baggins at the Michiana Humane Society in Michigan City. At that time, Albrecht was working with her therapy dog, Abby, and was seeking a cat to assist them.

"Cats that test to be therapy animals usually don't do well," Albrecht said. "Therapy animals are almost always dogs, but there was just something about Mr. Baggins."

Mr. Baggins was initially saved when a jogger happened to spot the box of very sick cats and brought them the Humane Society. Albrecht said all six cats had to be quarantined from the other animals in the shelter for about a month because of their poor condition.

"When I adopted him, Mr. Baggins had pneumonia and he couldn't hear well. It was pretty close to nine months before he was a healthy cat," Albrecht said.

Eventually, Mr. Baggins made a full recovery and therapy testing could begin.

In order to become a certified therapy animal, Mr. Baggins would have to endure and behave appropriately in several high stress situations.

"They scream and yell, shove him and treat him a little tough, as someone with a handicap might do," Albrecht said. "But he was very much enjoying the rough handling. He passed with flying colors."

Since then, Mr. Baggins and Albrecht have visited many hospitals and nursing homes, brightening what can be gloomy days for patients. Mr. Baggins' visits had a dramatic effect on one senior citizen in particular.

"One older woman was very bitter and isolated because all of her friends had passed away, but Mr. Baggins' visits helped her start interacting with the staff and other patients, and gave her a sence of purpose," Albrecht said. "I began letting her take care of him on Thursdays, and that gave her something to do. It was a beautiful and goose bump-worthy experience."

Mr. Baggins also enjoys visiting with hospice patients and their families. Albrecht says in these heart wrenching situations, Mr. Baggins can lighten the mood.

"Everyone has some kind of experience with cats, and Mr. Baggins can get people to share their positive interactions with them," Albrecht said. "In a situation were people sometimes run out of things to say, Mr. Baggins gets them talking."

Albrecht and Mr. Baggins also speaks to students in various grade levels, using his story to inspire them.

 

"When students say, 'I'm small, I can't do things,' I say 'Just look at Mr. Baggins. He was just a little kitty trapped in a box, and look at all he's done with his life,'" Albrecht said.

Although working with Mr. Baggins has been rewarding, Albrecht says she doesn't think she will ever work with another therapy cat.

"I've worked in therapy for 16 years, and I know I'll never have another cat this unique," she said. "He's just outstanding. I always say, 'It was meant to be.'"

(nwitimes.com-Mar 22, 2015)