Rant

[NikkiA]

I spoke to a pet therapy coordinator I have never worked with before for the first time today. I spoke with his assistant on Friday, in response to their request to the organization where I volunteer for additional volunteers, and the coordinator called me to tell me they won't be screening D for their program. He told me on the phone that cat claws have always freaked him out. What the heck do you say to a PET THERAPY coordinator who says something like that?!?

I hate preconceptions and perceptions. The implication was that they would screen him if he didn't have claws. Just because a cat has claws doesn't make it dangerous. It makes it a wonderfully intact animal as God intended it to be.

In what world would the cat be certified and insured if it used its claws aggressively?

I needed to rant.

 

[WitchyWoman]

I would tell him he has no right to discriminate based on his fear and that he can get professional help to treat his phobia.

 

[Trish Allearz]

LMAO- dogs have claws too, but they can't be sheathed. What a dingdong.

 

[SV Dad]

Never forget, common sense, is not common.
(Welcome to my world, I am in that environment every day....... the stories I can tell.........)

 

[Rafiki]

Wow. Does he really think that you would want to volunteer with a vicious attack cat? Sounds like he needs to change his title to Dog Therapy Coordinator. And btw, I would take my chances with a SV any day over a chihuahua.

 

[Jason E]

That truly is a bit absurd, especially considering he is a PET THERAPY coordinator.

 

[Becki]

Wow. Does he really think that you would want to volunteer with a vicious attack cat? Sounds like he needs to change his title to Dog Therapy Coordinator. And btw, I would take my chances with a SV any day over a chihuahua.

Hey now! I happen to know 2 chihuahuas who are obnoxiously friendly! They were raised by a GSD, so of course they are wonderful, and great big savannah cat fans as well!

As for this pet therapy guy, I hope he understands there are people who respond better to cats and he is robbing them of their opportunity.

 

[admin]

Nikki, I think he needs therapy...what an imbecile!

 

[Patti]

Agreed - this guy is in the wrong line of business and needs therapy himself to overcome his phobia - what a dufus!!! I would consider complaining to his superior (if he has one)...

 

[NikkiA]

Agreed - this guy is in the wrong line of business and needs therapy himself to overcome his phobia - what a dufus!!! I would consider complaining to his superior (if he has one)...

Seriously.
I'm going to let my pet therapy coordinator handle it. I made her aware of his comments, and I feel it will be better coming from her than from me.
She told me yesterday that visits at another facility by another therapy cat who had been visiting for some time have recently been blocked, and she thinks it may be the same individual who I spoke with who is preventing the cat from visiting. . .
Sometimes people amaze me.