Prepare to be captivated by the tale of an extraordinary feline who has defied the odds and melted hearts with its remarkable hopping ability. This heartwarming story showcases the resilience and determination of a ginger cat, rescued from the unforgiving streets, despite being born with only two legs.
Spotted wandering along the side of the road, this tiny kangaroo-like cat caught the attention of kind souls who swiftly brought it to a shelter. The dedicated staff at the Humane Society in Tucson, Arizona, were quick to notice that the ginger cat was missing both of its front legs.
Known as Joey Roo, this unique feline entered the shelter’s doors, in search of a loving forever home. Born with radial dysplasia, a congenital deformity resulting in the absence of front legs, Joey Roo adapted to life with remarkable grace. With one claw that formed on the end of one of his nubs, he defied his physical limitations and won the hearts of those who crossed his path.
Cortney, upon hearing about the plight of this special kitten formerly named Bradley, was immediately drawn to his story. When she met Joey Roo, his sweet and determined spirit quickly hopped his way into her heart, cementing a bond that would change both their lives.
From his first nights at his new home, Joey Roo showcased his tenacity, surprising everyone with his ability to jump surprisingly high despite having no front feet. Nothing slowed him down as he embraced life with affection and an unwavering spirit.
Joey Roo’s charismatic nature extended beyond his human companion, as he welcomed and got along well with all the furry friends who entered their home, including foster dogs and cats. With an affinity for attention and being held and petted, Joey made sure his presence brought comfort and companionship to his beloved mom, curling up in her lap whenever possible.
Challenging the notion of limitation, Joey Roo fearlessly conquered a 6-foot cat tree, ascending to its highest point and descending with agile finesse. He was a constant source of inspiration, demonstrating that physical differences do not define one’s abilities or capacity for love.
Lounging on his chair, supervising the household with a watchful eye, Joey Roo exhibited his nimbleness and agility, effortlessly getting on and off his chosen spots like any other cat. Despite his unique physique, he embraced life to the fullest.
Five years have passed since Joey Roo found his loving home, and during that time, he has touched the lives of many furry friends and even contributed to fostering rescue animals like him. This happy little guy continues to radiate joy and love, reminding us all that the power of determination and a loving heart can overcome any obstacle.
Join us in celebrating Joey Roo’s inspirational journey, as he hops his way into our hearts, leaving an indelible mark on the world around him.
10 Mental & Physical Health Benefits of Having Pets
Pets are family members. Like humans, they need love, health care, and attention. But pet parents’ relationships with their pets are not one sided. Pets give so much back in return, improving the health of our minds, bodies, and hearts.
The benefits of having pets are plentiful — and scientifically proven. Pets help their humans live longer, happier, and healthier lives mentally and physically. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) gathers the latest information on the positive health effects of companion animals. These researchers help make the case for adding a pet to a household.
From reducing the risk of heart attacks to alleviating loneliness, these furry family members are contributing to healthy communities.
Let’s talk about those benefits.
Better Mental Health
Pets can contribute to positive mental health through emotional work and practical work. The emotional work can be described as alleviating worries, stress, and depression. You may have noticed that your pet wastes no time noticing and springing into action when you are upset or sad. Their intuition is what makes them great support and therapy animals, and animal-assisted therapy is effective in treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Then there’s the practical work that comes with caring for a pet. This means making sure their individual needs are met. Developing a daily routine of walks and feeding times can help pet parents with mental health conditions feel a sense of purpose that affects other areas of their lives.
The Data: Pets and Mental Health
A 2016 HABRI study explored the role of pets in the social networks of people managing a long‑term mental health problem.
- Pets were found to contribute to a stronger sense of identity in pet owners with mental health conditions, including reducing negative perceptions of a mental health condition or diagnosis.
- Pets provide a sense of security and routine in the relationship, which reinforces stable cognition.
- Pets provide a distraction and disruption from distressing symptoms, such as hearing voices, suicidal thoughts, rumination, and facilitating routine and exercise for those who care for them.
Better Physical Health
Every little bit counts when it comes to physical health benefits, and those daily walks really add up for dog owners. Since they are more likely to meet the criteria for regular moderate exercise, dog parents have lower instances of obesity.
Your heart is one of the biggest spots to see the full benefits of pet ownership. Just the presence of animals has significant impacts on blood pressure, with pet owners having a lower resting blood pressure than people without pet babies.
Cat parents aren’t left out of the healthy heart race. A feline friend in your home reduces your risk of death due to cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attacks. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), people without cats have a 40% higher relative risk of heart attack than non‑cat owners.
The Data: Pets and Physical Health
- Approximately 60% of dog walkers met the criteria for regular moderate and/or vigorous leisure‑time physical activity compared with about 45% for non‑dog owners and dog owners who did not walk their dog in a 2005 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey.
- In a study of adults over the age of 50 with mildly elevated blood pressure, the presence of a pet dog or cat had a significant impact on blood pressure, with dog ownership being associated with lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure compared to people who did not own pets.
- A study of over 2,400 cat owners concluded there was a significantly lower relative risk for death due to cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attack, compared to non‑owners during a 20‑year follow‑up.
Healthier Aging Process
Research has shown that older adults get social and emotional support from their pets that combats loneliness and depression. Aside from promoting exercise and reducing stress, pets also assist in the treatment of long‑term diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Pet companionship is also key for hospital and cancer patients. When coupled with animal-assisted activities, pets help patients with pain management and in interactions with doctors and nurses. Those patients also responded better to treatments and reported improvements in their quality of life.
The Data: Pets and Aging
- Results of a study of older adults who live alone suggest that pet ownership may act as a buffer against loneliness.
- Results of a one-year study that examined the impact of animal‑assisted therapy (AAT) on patients with chronic pain demonstrated that, following AAT, patients reported reduced pain, discomfort, and stress. Additionally, stress among nursing staff was found to decrease significantly following AAT.
- A study of older adults with mental illness living in long‑term care facilities concluded that AAT reduced depressive symptoms and improved cognitive function.
When we look at the data on mental health, physical health, and aging, it’s clear that pets contribute much to people’s lives in these areas, as well as being the loving companions we’ve always known they are.