Your Neighbor: Sara Goldenthal

When Sara Goldenthal was 7 years old, she wanted to become an animal specialist, a singer or a scientist. She became all three.

Goldenthal was a jazz singer for about 10 years before becoming a cat behaviorist in 2000.

Catster magazine recently named her one of its top five heroes for 2013 for her grant-funded programs in shelters and her e-book, “No More Scaredy Cat: The easy, step-by-step program that puts an end to stress, fear and anxiety for the cats you love.” Goldenthal says working with cats is unique and mindful.

“You have to realize that you’re working with a sentient, intelligent, living being,” she says. “It’s really about the individual kitty.”

Goldenthal grew up in Freedom, Maine, where she developed a love for animals at a young age.

After she decided to end her jazz career in 2000, she took an entry-level job at an animal-rescue shelter in Maine.

Goldenthal’s care for her stray cat Tucker helped her to recognize the fear and lack of trust in the shelter cats. She began using Bach Flower Essences, a collection of natural essences, on Tucker’s and the shelter cats’ pressure points. She saw an improvement in their behavior.

Since then, Goldenthal has become a certified practitioner in Bach Flower Essences and Tellington Touch, a method of body work and movement exercises for animals. She moved in October from Maine to Sarasota and hopes to continue her work in area shelters. Goldenthal says the local animal community helped draw her to Sarasota.

IN HER OWN WORDS: “It seems (animal) organizations work together (in Sarasota) and I really like that.”— Sara Goldenthal

Neighborhood: Palmer Ranch
Your neighbor since: October

Contact Harriet Sokmensuer at [email protected]