Meet Juanita and Lola-Pearl, the human-cat amputee duo helping others through animal therapy

Euronews ^ | 24/12/2023 | Rebecca Ann Hughes

[nickcarraway]

There’s abundant research on other therapy animals like dogs but there’s often a ‘shock factor’ involved with therapy cats because many don’t know they exist.

Each morning, Juanita Mengel removes the silicone liner of her prosthetic leg from under a heated blanket so that the metal parts of the artificial limb don't feel as cold on her skin when she straps the pieces together.

The 67-year-old Ohio resident then does the same for her five-year-old dilute tortoiseshell cat, Lola-Pearl, who is missing her left hind leg.

The duo is one of an estimated 200 therapy cat teams registered in the US through Pet Partners.

[Fai Mao]

I doubt the cat cares what she does.

[packagingguy]

My friend has a three legged deer that lives in his yard (looks like a coyote ate one of his legs).

[Poser]

I love my cat and she worships me, but she’s just like every other cat, a wild animal and a complete a-hole.

[DAC21]

Had two cats, one in my pre-teens, then another from my teens into my twenty’s. We must have had an understanded of each other as we got along wonderfully. They were outdoor by day / in-door by night Cats. Nothing but Dogs for the last 30 years only because the wife and Dog(s) say so. Would like to have before it’s all over one of each brought up as pup / kitten.

[Jyotishi]

“I doubt the cat cares what she does.”

They tend to do what suits them best.

[No name given]

All animals do.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“I doubt the cat cares what she does.”

The cat cares when the food stops coming.

[3ZZZ]

Call a dog and he comes with tail wagging. Call a cat and you get an answering-machine!

[Dr. Sivana]

The cat cares when the food stops coming.

I have had a number of cats whose bond is beyond suppertime. Some provided extra attention and comfort when sick or just feeling down, and two of them were extremely proficient using the cat flap in order to get "take out" whenever hungry, and no longer relied on us for feeding.

When I came back from my honeymoon, my best cat, Jean-Marie, was happily surprised and jumped into my arms even though he was well-fed by my accommodating mother the whole time. He also would recognize my '66 Dodge Dart Slant Six from half a mile away, and jump into the driver's window to greet me when I got home. It was more than a transactional relationship.

[Dr. Sivana]

Call a cat and you get an answering-machine!

If I called "Jean-Marie!", yes, he would meow to let us know where he was and nothing more. If I called "Food for kitty!" He would meow and then run from two yards away at top speed. Our bond was about more than food, but food remains an excellent motivator. If my wife and I were having a conversation in the living room, with Jean-Marie comfortably tucked in relaxation facing in a different direction, and we said the word "food", one ear, and only one ear would turn towards us. If we followed with "Food for ...", he would get attentive. Then, when we said "Food for kitty!" , full engagement. Cats can be wonderful pets.

[thescourged1]

A couple weeks ago, I was flat on my back with the flu. My flame-point Siamese got on my chest and started sniffing around my upper lip and nose. Then she proceeded to jam her nose into each of my nostrils while furiously sniffing away. The tongue started to come out and I promptly ended her exam. She settled for laying on my chest and purring

I believe she could smell the infection in my sinuses and wanted to help. No, I don't think she was looking for a snack. My cats know when my wife and I are sick or in pain and they do try to comfort us.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I’ve had probably eight cats and two or three were like the ones you describe. Our current cat adores our son and follows him everywhere when he gets home from work. When it’s bed time, Merlin leads him down the hall to the bedroom and always jumps up on the bed.

[AuntB]

“My cats know when my wife and I are sick or in pain and they do try to comfort us.”

I recently experienced that or I might not have believed it. When I was burned out in the Almeda fire, I had time to grab my purse and Bugs the Cat. For the last 3 years we lived in a car, and horrible motels and worse. I can’t tell you how many times I stayed alive only because of him. He was a champ riding in the car and learned the leash. Last summer he quit eating and the vets couldn’t find anything. Last month I buried that sweet 5 year old creature. Cancer. The last few weeks, I would cry and he would comfort me. It was so obvious. No one ever loved me as much. He was my last link to 75 years of life.
He loved Christmas.

Truth is that fire killed him. It changed us both. And now the Biden regime wants the pentance I got for fire relief paid back, with interest.
I could use a Bugs hug right now.

[AlaskaErik]

All animals do.

Cats tolerate you, dogs love you. I've never heard of a cat keeping a lost toddler warm in the wild. I've heard of plenty of dogs that have.

[NEMDF]

I am so sorry to hear of your struggles, but mainly the loss of Bugs the Cat. Praying for strength and comfort to lift you up, going forward.

[nwrep]

Merry Christmas to you. Sorry to hear about your losses.

[AuntB]

Thank you