HOME FELINOTHERAPY METHODOLOGY (Feline Activities – Felinotherapy)
HOME FELINOTHERAPY METHODOLOGY
(Feline Activities – Felinotherapy)
Prepared by:
International Felinotherapy Association, z. s.
and Independent Breeders Club (NCHK)
Havlíčkova 590/5
293 01 Mladá Boleslav
Czech Republic
1. Definition of Home Felinotherapy
Home felinotherapy represents a form of Animal Assisted Interventions carried out within the natural environment of the client’s or handler’s home. It is based on principles of animal welfare, neuroregulatory approaches and a partnership-based model of the human–animal relationship.
Home felinotherapy is based on the assumption that regulatory and relational effects may arise not only through direct interaction, but also through a shared regulatory environment.
Within this model, the animal is perceived as an active co-creator of the interactional and regulatory process.
Home felinotherapy does not constitute a healthcare or social service within the meaning of applicable legislation unless it is performed by a person holding the professional qualifications required under the legal framework of the respective country.
2. Philosophical and Ethical Principles
Home felinotherapy is based on the principle:
“To live in harmony with the harmony of life and allow others to live in harmony with the harmony of life.”
The following core ethical principles arise from this concept:
- voluntary participation of the animal,
- respect for the autonomy of the animal,
- possibility of choice and withdrawal from the situation,
- respect for species-specific feline behaviour,
- rejection of a performance-based model of animal use,
- welfare as a priority principle,
- a partnership-based relationship model,
- long-term relational continuity.
If the animal is considered a co-creator of the interactional environment, full respect for its needs, limits and decisions is required.
3. Professional Theoretical Frameworks
The methodology integrates knowledge from:
- the SIBAM model,
- Polyvagal Theory,
- Primary Affective Systems,
- trauma-informed approaches,
- feline ethology,
- the concept of parallel regulation,
- relationship-based AAI models,
- evidence-informed approaches.
4. Specific Features of the Home Environment
The home environment represents a natural social ecosystem in which authentic relational and regulatory processes may emerge.
Benefits of the Home Environment
- increased sense of safety and predictability,
- possibility of long-term continuity,
- reduction of performance pressure,
- opportunity to work with group dynamics among animals,
- deeper observation of neuroregulatory processes,
- possibility of natural development of the human–cat relationship.
Risks of the Home Environment
- unclear boundaries regarding the role of the animal,
- emotional projection by family members,
- overloading of the animal,
- absence of a structured routine,
- failure to respect signals of stress or social withdrawal.
5. Role of the Handler
In home felinotherapy, the handler acts as:
- facilitator of a safe environment,
- mediator of relationships between the client and the animal,
- observer of neuroregulatory processes,
- guardian of feline welfare,
- guide for the family,
- coordinator of safe interaction.
The handler actively works with their own nervous system regulation and utilizes:
- somatic communication,
- postural stability,
- principles of low social pressure,
- orienting behaviour,
- conscious work with movement and distance.
6. Approach to the Involvement of Cats
Home felinotherapy is not based on the selection of “elite therapeutic individuals,” but rather on the respectful use of the potential of a particular cat or group of cats within their natural environment.
The approach follows the principle:
“We work with what is naturally present.”
Individual Variability of Cats
Cats may differ in:
- degree of social contact,
- style of distance regulation,
- temperament,
- environmental adaptability,
- activity level,
- communication style.
Each style may carry regulatory or relational significance.
Group Model
In households with multiple cats, important elements may include:
- group social dynamics,
- possibility of choosing an interaction partner,
- shared regulatory field of the group,
- observation of interactions between cats,
- natural alternation of social roles.
7. Voluntary Participation of the Cat
Within felinotherapy, the cat may take on different roles:
- active interaction partner,
- parallel regulatory element,
- social behavioural model,
- observer,
- part of the regulatory environment.
Participation of the cat is based on the principle of ongoing behavioral consent.
Absence of direct contact is not considered an absence of regulatory or relational influence.
8. Model of Parallel Regulation
Parallel regulation represents a process in which nervous systems co-regulate through shared space without the necessity of direct interaction.
Regulatory effects may arise through:
- shared presence,
- rhythm synchronization,
- orienting behaviour,
- nonverbal communication,
- shared sense of safety,
- environmental stability.
9. Dynamic Nature of Animal Involvement
The involvement of a cat in felinotherapy is a developmental process.
Building safety may lead to:
- gradual development of social tolerance,
- spontaneous behavioural change,
- development of voluntary interaction,
- increased environmental adaptability.
Change is not the goal of the intervention, but a possible natural consequence of a stable and safe environment.
10. Planning of Interventions
Interventions are based on:
- the client’s needs,
- the current state of the cat,
- ethological principles,
- voluntary participation,
- the current regulatory capacity of all involved parties.
Types of Activities
- haptic stimulation,
- sensorimotor activities,
- enrichment for the cat,
- shared observation,
- art-based activities,
- environmental work,
- calm co-regulation.
11. Neuroregulatory Principles of Practice
Regulatory processes may arise through:
- immediate compatibility of nervous systems,
- gradual relationship building,
- long-term environmental stability.
The handler utilizes:
- postural stability,
- orienting gaze,
- conscious work with movement,
- breathing techniques,
- somatic awareness,
- regulation of social intensity.
The work may also include environmental regulation:
- work with lighting,
- noise reduction,
- possibility of hiding,
- respect for the olfactory environment,
- spatial organization of the environment.
12. Methods of Observation and Evaluation
Observation is based on:
- the SIBAM model,
- Polyvagal perspective,
- Primary Affective Systems,
- video analysis,
- SPA analysis,
- handler self-reflection,
- ethological knowledge.
The following are evaluated:
- regulation of the client,
- regulation of the cat,
- quality of the relationship,
- degree of voluntariness,
- stress signals,
- ability to return to regulation.
Interpretation of feline behaviour must be based on ethological knowledge and must not rely solely on anthropomorphic projections.
Video analysis may include:
- slowed playback,
- longitudinal observation of changes over time,
- supervisory reflection,
- comparison of regulatory patterns.
13. Documentation
Documentation includes:
- records of interventions,
- video recordings,
- reflective notes,
- supervisory notes,
- data archiving in accordance with applicable legislation.
14. Risk Management
Risks for the Client
- emotional activation,
- overload,
- dysregulation of the nervous system.
Risks for the Cat
- stress,
- fatigue,
- social overload,
- lack of opportunity for withdrawal,
- chronic pressure to interact.
The priority is always the possibility to end the interaction and return to a safe state.
15. Specific Benefits of Home Felinotherapy
- long-term neuroregulation,
- deeper relational work,
- support for client autonomy,
- work with the family system,
- welfare-oriented AAI model,
- possibility of natural integration into daily life,
- support for a sense of safety and continuity.
Final Principle of the Methodology
The natural development of the relationship between the client and the cat has greater regulatory and relational value than forced interaction.
