On November 10th, groups of people participated in a pet therapy cafe at the Monroe County Public Library, where they could learn new knowledge of wildlife, and cuddle with animals for stress relief .
Monroe County Humane Association (MCHA) brought its animal ambassadors, including cats, dogs, rabbits, parrots, and other non-traditional pets such as rats, snakes, and iguanas. Attendees could have a not only close encounter, but also safe interaction with them.
Many people stayed away from snakes because of fear. However, a girl touched a snake with one finger in the beginning and ended up letting it climb from her chest to shoulder. Staff explained that this kind of snake wasn’t aggressive and favored warm places.
“It’s a great way to introduce people to those options. And they may have never had an opportunity to hold a snake, to pet a snake,” Kimberly Goy, director of development from Monroe County Humane Association, said.
Different kinds of animals including traditional pets, snakes, iguanas, and parrots at the pet therapy cafe.
Animal ambassadors have to pass evaluations on their behavior and stability around people. They are a part of the education program, under which the association brings them to schools and public events for teaching animal welfare.
“It gives students in Monroe County that opportunity to be hands-on with animals that they might not otherwise be able to touch and learn about,” Goy said.
Megan DeCleene, a participant, found herself having a special bond with goats. A goat was calmly sitting next to her at the event. She was overwhelmed at times, with tears in her eyes, “Oh my god! ” she said, when the goat put its head on her lap.
DeCleene said goats might be her spiritual animal after having the close interaction with them. Two baby goats followed her at the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago, and so did the goat at the café. Asked if she would want to have a goat as a pet, she said, “I’ve never seriously considered the idea before, but after today, I don’t know. I think it’d be wonderful.”
Kimberly Goy talks about therapy animals.
Therapy animals usually go to nursing homes, hospitals, and other stressful settings to provide physical and emotional support. MCHA has a therapy team, V.I.Paws, with 12 certified cats and dogs.
V.I.Paws is a part of the program through IU Health Bloomington. “We can take our dogs into the hospital and allow those patients that opportunity to live on a furry one,” she said.
Erica Brown talks about the collaboration between the Monroe County Public library and the Monroe County Humane Association.
Monroe County Public Library collaborated with the Humane Association on holding the event, which attracted more than 120 people this year. They not only provided residents with opportunities to pet animals, but also aimed to help the library get more exposure in the community.
Brown said people might not follow library events religiously, “But, they hear about animals at the library that they can pet for free and they’re more likely to just come.”
Goy said researches had shown that animal-assisted therapy had an impact on shortening recovery time. “I think there’s a special connection that animals and humans have. And so there’s some sort of healing that we can’t explain when we’re with animals,” DeCleene said.
