Having already tackled cancer, UQ's resident singing cat is now targeting self-esteem.

Buddy, the carolling Siamese cat, has returned to the recording studio to put the backing vocals on a self-help tape made by his owner, Dr Maureen Burke, UQ's Director of Student Support Services.

Buddy's back-up miaowing proved a major hit on the couple's first collaboration last year, a relaxation and visualisation tape for cancer patients entitled BUDDY TARGETS CANCER.

The tape was not only a hit with cancer patients. Buddy's personal appearance with Dr Burke at a seminar for animal therapy students from Japan ended up with a photo session. "They were excited about this aspect of therapy and also the chance to get pictures of Buddy in the Great Court," Dr Burke said.

The seminar was organised in conjunction with the Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education (ICTE). Further seminars using the cancer tape will be offered during 2003 with ICTE.

Now Buddy and Dr Burke have turned their attention to another important topic, self-esteem, and released an audio-cassette called BUDDY TARGETS FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF.

Dr Burke, a psychologist, said that low self-esteem was often the underlying cause of patients seeking counselling for issues such as anxiety, depression and stress. "Having a positive self-esteem is a particularly important foundation block for both our physical and psychological well being," Dr Burke said. "People with positive self-esteem are more likely to be successful, be in control of their lives, make good decisions, deal better with life's challenges and cope with inevitable change."