Service Cat Helps Viet Vet with PTSD
In July, John McGahey, a 53-yar-old Vietnam veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) received a service pet in July as part of an unconventional prescription to help him combat his demons. This service pet was not the usual dog, however. It’s “Patch,” a 6-month old white cat.
McGahey was first diagnosed with PTSD in the late 1970s after treatment in Philadelphia Naval Hospital. He explains, “I have a lot of flashbacks. I get paranoid in public, and petting Patch helps keep me calm. When I’m ripping the bed apart at night he licks me.”
Convincing others that Patch is a service animal has been an uphill battle. The former medical corpsman has been denied access to some public places with Patch. “It’s not like I’m trying to take an alligator with me. I just want people to know service animals can be other than dogs.”
McGahey first dispelled the myth that only dogs can work as service animals at an H-E-B store. Executive staff contacted store managers where he shops to arrange for him to carry Patch in a pouch the cat has been trained to stay inside. It hasn’t been so easy for him to gain access for Patch elsewhere, however. Patch and McGahey are regular riders on city buses, but only after he asked permission and danced through a sea of red tape. The pair encountered resistance the first time they visited the Veterans Administration medical clinic. McGahey was required to show a copy of the ADA definition of service animals and his doctor’s prescription, which were photocopied for his file, before he was permitted to keep Patch with him. McGahey said he has not been permitted to take Patch into local restaurants, and he understands that it’s often because of owners’ misunderstanding of federal regulations.
Read the complete story at NavyTimes.com
Hey Skeezy, is this guy a Catster member? We’d love to write to him.
What a kul story. Animules could solve all the problems in the wurld.
Us kitties are good for all sorts of stuff. Good job Patch and God Bless John!
Such a nice story. It’s great that he found help with a sweet kitty.
What a great story. I love the thought of this big tough looking guy telling people that he has a service cat. Good for him and I hope more people start listening!
Patch is such a handsome little guy and is performing a wonderful service for his “Dad”!
Don’t tell my dude, but I’m pretty much his service cat as well. He’s useless without me, so much so that he flew to Sweden to get me.
The power of the feline is amazine!
There is nothing surprising about this. The “experts” overlook the versatility of anything that isn’t a dog as a “service animal”. I have PTSD from my time in Iraq. My girlfriend encouraged me to adopt 2 cats last summer (2007). And they have really worked wonders for me,my stress and anxiety levels drop extensively when I interact with the 2 knuckleheads. Good Luck Patch and John!
This is a neat story!
Awwww… What a fabulous story! Patch is the cutest kitty! We need more service felines.
Retweet @catster article about service cat http://is.gd/6DAO Cute photos of licks & in sack! But if you try that with me I will scratch you.
Retweet @catster article about service cat http://is.gd/6DAO Cute photos of licks & in sack! But if you try that with me I will scratch you.
This is a great story. High Paws to Patch!
Such a cool story — Patch is a handsome guy, too! And kudos to John for his tenacity in educating people and getting his feline buddy accepted in public places.
Catzowey this story makes me purr! 4 Paws UP For Patch!!!
That article really touched me. Humans need us as much as we need them! Patch and John McGahey are truly an inspiration to many.