Cats have long been adored for their quiet companionship and affectionate nature. While they might not fetch balls or guide people with disabilities like some dogs do, they excel at something equally valuable—offering gentle emotional support. Their calming presence, soothing purrs, and soft fur can bring relief to individuals going through difficult times.

Among the various roles pets can take on, therapy cats have carved out a unique space. They offer comfort and emotional connection in public or group settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, or rehabilitation centers. But what exactly is a therapy cat, and what sets them apart from emotional support or service animals?

Let’s explore what therapy cats do, who they help, and how a cat might qualify for this remarkable role.

What Is a Therapy Cat?

A therapy cat is a domestic cat that, along with its handler, visits public facilities to provide emotional support and comfort to people in need. These cats are selected for their calm and sociable nature and are trained to behave well in unfamiliar environments around new people.

Unlike service animals, therapy cats are not trained to assist one person with specific medical tasks or disabilities. And while they may offer emotional support, they are different from emotional support animals (ESAs), which are prescribed to help one person manage mental or emotional conditions and do not require formal training.

Therapy cats typically work in organized programs where they are matched with locations—like a hospital ward or a senior living facility—to interact with individuals who might benefit from the cat’s presence. Their role is to soothe, uplift, and provide a moment of emotional connection through physical touch or simple companionship.

Therapy Cats vs. Emotional Support and Service Animals

To understand the role of a therapy cat more clearly, it helps to compare it with two other categories of assistance animals: emotional support animals and service animals.

• Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): These animals help reduce emotional or psychological symptoms in their owners, often through companionship and routine. Unlike therapy animals, ESAs typically support only one person and are not intended to work in public or group settings. ESAs do not require specialized training and don’t have public access rights beyond housing or air travel (depending on current regulations).

• Service Animals: These are typically dogs that have been rigorously trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities. Under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are permitted to accompany their handlers in most public spaces. Cats, however, are not recognized as service animals under the ADA.

• Therapy Cats: These cats are trained to remain calm, tolerate handling, and interact with strangers in unfamiliar environments. Unlike service animals, they don’t have universal public access rights and must be invited to specific places. Their role is to provide comfort and emotional connection—not perform tasks.

Benefits of Therapy Cats

Spending time with animals can positively influence a person's emotional and physical health, and cats are no exception. Some of the documented benefits of animal-assisted interaction include:

• Lowered blood pressure and heart rate

• Reduced levels of stress hormones like cortisol

• Improved mood and reduced feelings of anxiety or depression

• Enhanced ability to form social connections

• Increased levels of oxytocin and other “feel good” brain chemicals

• Decreased feelings of isolation or loneliness

Cats are especially effective for individuals who prefer quieter, more mellow interactions. Their peaceful demeanor, gentle purring, and soft fur create a soothing experience, which can be especially beneficial in clinical or high-stress environments.

What Does a Therapy Cat Do?

A therapy cat’s main job is to offer emotional comfort through presence and touch. During visits to hospitals, schools, or care facilities, these cats may:

• Sit on a patient’s bed or lap

• Gently interact with residents through petting

• Provide distraction during stressful procedures or treatment

• Help stimulate conversation and memory recall in elderly individuals

• Encourage children or students to relax in educational or counseling settings

Although simply being near a cat can lift spirits, the act of stroking their fur or listening to their purr can activate calming physiological responses in humans. Many people report a sense of safety and reassurance when a therapy cat is nearby.

Qualities of a Good Therapy Cat

Not all cats are suited for therapy work. Cats that are shy, easily startled, or dislike being touched are unlikely to enjoy or perform well in a public therapy setting.

Here are some key traits found in successful therapy cats:

• Calm, gentle disposition

• Friendly and social with people (including strangers)

• Comfortable being touched and held

• Adaptability to new environments and sounds

• Comfortable wearing a harness and leash

• Tolerant of grooming and baths

A strong bond with their human handler is also essential. During therapy visits, the handler plays a critical role in guiding the interaction, monitoring the cat’s stress levels, and ensuring both the animal and the people being visited feel safe and respected.

How to Train a Cat to Become a Therapy Animal

Training a cat to become a therapy animal requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to expose the cat gradually to new experiences. If your cat has a friendly personality and tolerates new situations well, they might be a good candidate for therapy work.

The basic steps include:

1. Leash and harness training: Cats should learn to walk comfortably in a harness and feel secure in unfamiliar environments.

2. Socialization: Therapy cats need to be comfortable around people of all ages and personalities, including those who may have medical equipment, mobility aids, or unusual vocalizations.

3. Desensitization: Regular exposure to different places, sounds, and situations can help your cat remain calm during therapy visits.

4. Basic obedience: While not as elaborate as dog training, cats should respond to cues like staying in place, ignoring tempting items, and accepting grooming.

5. Health and grooming: Therapy cats must be clean, up-to-date on vaccinations, and free from fleas or illnesses.

Organizations such as Pet Partners, Love on a Leash, and Animals 4 Therapy offer specific training programs and certifications for therapy cats and their handlers. These programs include evaluations to ensure the cat’s behavior and health meet therapy standards.

How to Find a Therapy Cat for Visits

If you represent an organization or care facility and believe that residents or clients could benefit from animal-assisted interactions, you can contact certified therapy animal programs to request a visit.

These programs typically maintain teams of trained handlers and animals and can match the right cat to your setting based on the emotional and physical needs of those involved. Therapy visits can be one-time events or recurring appointments, depending on the availability of the handler and the policies of the facility.

Can Your Cat Become a Therapy Cat?

If you believe your cat might enjoy and thrive in a therapy setting, consider reaching out to a reputable training program for guidance. Not all cats enjoy frequent handling or travel, and that’s okay. But if your cat shows curiosity, social confidence, and adaptability, they may find joy in this meaningful work.

Before beginning training, assess your cat’s temperament honestly. Cats that hide from guests or react negatively to being picked up are likely not suited for therapy roles. However, cats that enjoy attention, tolerate gentle restraint, and remain calm in new environments have excellent potential.

Final Thoughts

While therapy cats may not be as common as therapy dogs, they have a unique ability to provide peace, comfort, and connection through simple acts of companionship. Their presence can bring laughter to children, calm to patients, and warmth to anyone needing a soft paw or a reassuring purr.

Whether they’re curled up beside someone recovering from surgery or helping a student cope with stress, therapy cats remind us of the quiet power of emotional presence—and the profound impact that animals can have on human healing.