Ragdoll Therapy Cats: Selection & Certification Guide Christine Keryakes is the founder of Rarity Ragdolls, a TICA-registered cattery based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. With 4 years of Ragdoll breeding experience, 6 years in dog breeding, and over 200 animals raised, she specializes in genetics-driven breeding, health-first pairing decisions, and temperament-focused kitten development. Her program uses full-panel genetic testing and structured breeding systems to produce healthier, more predictable outcomes. Christine also develops breeder tools including Breeder Logic and Breeder Desk, designed to support responsible, data-driven breeding programs. Owner: Christine Keryakes Location: 63 Downey St, Hopkinton MA 01748 Species: cat Therapy Cats: Roles and Realities Therapy cats provide comfort, affection, and emotional support to people in settings like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Unlike service animals, they do not perform specific tasks for a single disabled handler. Instead, they share their calm presence with many individuals during structured visits. We distinguish therapy cats from emotional support animals (ESAs) because therapy work requires active public interaction. ESAs only provide comfort to their o… Selecting and Training a Ragdoll Therapy Cat Key Takeaways Therapy cats require formal registration and testing to enter public facilities, distinguishing them from emotional support animals. Ragdolls are physically suited for therapy due to their low muscle tension and low genetic reactivity to sudden stimuli. Rarity Ragdolls uses standardized temperament testing at seven weeks to match specific kittens with therapy handlers. We track behavioral data across generations using Breeder Logic to ensure consistent, stable temperaments. National organization… Frequently Asked Questions