Airports can frequently be demanding, however one previous feral cat is making the experience more pawsitive. The San Francisco International Airport’s treatment animal group called “Wag Brigade” happily presented Duke, or Duke Ellington Morris, their very first treatment cat on their group. The Wag Brigade ambassadors belong to the SF SPCA’s animal treatment program.
Imagine attempting to browse a hectic airport and stumbling upon this cat in his spiffy Wag Brigade uniform with a “Pet Me” vest and pilot’s wings. That would definitely put a smile on our faces and minimize stress in seconds!
Duke was Rescued as Young Feral Cat
This story is a lot more incredible since Duke, now age 14, was rescued as a starving feral cat. Jennifer Morris’s family embraced him from SF Animal Care and Control at one years of age. Her 5-year-old child saw the kitten grab them with his paw when they went to the shelter.
“I hear my daughter shrieking with joy, ‘I love the black and white kitty.’ And I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’” Morris said. “We met Duke, and he was focused on my daughter. And I figured, well, if a cat wants a 5-year-old for his next guardian, he couldn’t be that bad,” she informed SFGate.
Jen Morris’s child with Duke as a rescued one-year-old cat. Image by means of The Dodo/Jennifer Morris
Soon, the family acknowledged that he was extremely chill and comfy around individuals.
“I think he rescued us,” said Jennifer Morris. “There’s no doubt in my mind. He is just a sweetheart.”
Jennifer Morris with Duke Ellington Morris. Image by means of SFGate/Jen Morris
Initially, his name was Tai Chi Tuxedo however later on he made his name honoring allure legend, Duke Ellington.
Duke’s Wag Brigade Debut
The cat was so friendly they understood he’d be a fantastic treatment cat, following through till he was formally licensed. Then, he assisted individuals in hospitals and ICUs for over a years till he made the Wag Brigade 4 years earlier.
Duke in a stroller with his treatment bunny associate
Due to the pandemic, the program closed down however has actually resumed activity.
He’s ended up being the very first treatment cat for the Wag Brigade, which launched in 2013. To receive accreditation, Duke needed to show his purrfect personality and airport viability. He’s the only cat on a group of 17 doggos, Alex, the Flemish Giant bunny, and Lilou, the very first licensed piggy.
“Introducing Duke Ellington Morris. Duke is the 1st cat to qualify for the Wag Brigade. We are proud to welcome Duke to our diverse and unique team of therapy animals!” shared sfowagbrigage.
Here’s how they explained Duke’s background as a feral kitten turned ridiculously adorable treatment cat at a significant airport
“Duke was discovered starving in a San Francisco feral cat colony. After a short stint at SF Animal Care and Control, Duke spotted a young human that he decided was his ticket to a better life. Was he ever correct—Duke immediately took to his new family and it quickly became clear to his new guardians that this was a special cat. Since then, Duke has been certified as an animal therapist, helping humans of all ages deal with stress, illness, hardship, and putting smiles on their faces when they need it most.”
Duke Helped People in Hospitals Over a Decade
Below, you can see Duke’s previous work for the San Francisco SPCA’s animal treatment program at the UCSF Medical Center. The SPCA program began over 40 years ago!
Duke Ellington Morris at the UCSF Medical Center. Screenshot by means of YouTube
At the time, Duke was 7 years of ages and assisted individuals in their time of requirement in the ICU and psychiatry department.
“He used to go to UCSF for visits at the ICU,” Morris told SFGate. And they would wheel him in on a cart, and individuals who wished to animal him got approval from their medical professionals,” Morris informed the website. “They would provide a great scratch below the chin.
To end up being a treatment at in the ICU, he was thoroughly vetted as a cat that would never ever scratch anybody.
Video by KPIX, CBS News Bay Area:
Therapy Animals and People Mutually Benefit
There is scientific evidence that communicating with treatment animals assists both individuals and the treatment animals. While social networks frequently shares cat material as a “serotonin boost,” research study reveals that oxytocin, the “love hormone,” gets launched communicating with treatment animals. So, there’s real tension relief for human beings and family pets. Plus, there are numerous other health benefits like decreasing high blood pressure, discomfort, tension, stress and anxiety, anxiety, cholesterol and triglycerides. We get those health advantages daily thanks to our family pets!
More of Duke Ellington at the UCSF Medical Center listed below:
