A Trauma Informed Approach

Being trauma informed means recognizing that both cats and their caregivers have likely experienced some form of trauma in their lifetime. My passion for working with you and your cat is motivated by compassion, empathy, and curiosity. I strive to create a space for us to communicate honestly with each other, without fear of judgement. 

A trauma informed approach involves maintaining a high level of compassion recognizing specific needs and accommodating every person and cat that I work with.

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Trauma isn’t so much about WHAT happened, it’s about the behavioral and emotional response to specific events or circumstances. Trauma could be a series of small actions, prolonged conditions in which one’s needs aren’t met, or things that one might not recognize at the time.

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There are many events that can result in a trauma response for cats.

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• Introducing a new animal into their territory.

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• Abruptly losing their housing.

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• Negative encounters with a particular person or situation.

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• Living in an unfulfilling environment.

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• And plenty more.

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Instead of viewing trauma responses as “bad behavior”, I find it important to recognize and respect each cat’s emotions. This helps us learn how to collaborate with them, build a bond, and support their needs.