Rita Meyer uses her rescued cats as therapy animals
Psychotherapist Rita Meyer enjoys having her rescue cats as part of her therapy sessions.
Her parents’ example of unconditional care and involvement made it easy for Ms Rita Meyer, a qualified psychotherapist, to make the difficult decision about what to become when she grew up.
“I had to make a choice between my love for animals and people and in the end settled on social work.
“I completed my degree and my honours degree at the University of Pretoria.”
After a few years of working as a therapist in the prison environment, Ms Meyer was accepted at Unisa to complete her masters degree in mental health.
She has also worked at various rehabilitation centres and at the Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital and finally came to Secunda in 1991.
“I rescued two cats with my daughter about five years ago and now there are eight rescued cats in and around my home and practice.
“Though dogs and horses are more well known for being therapy animals, I have come to the conclusion that these cats can also have an amazing influence on the people I work with.”
Three of the cats have now taken up semi-permanent residence in her office and Ms Meyer explained that each has a different personality and tends to gravitate towards the people who seem to need them most.
“Midnight, one of the first cats I ever got, is definitely our main therapy cat.”
He can apparently sense when a child comes in who needs some unconditional love, and simply sticks by that child, going to the sandplay area or the playroom with them, just being a companion.
For more information about the Feral Care Friends Secunda, you can visit their Facebook page or contact Ms Meyer’s office at 017 634 1557 or 082 630 0306.
Read the full story in the Ridge Times newspaper.
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