Can Cats Be Therapy Animals?

Science Says Yes

When we think of therapy animals, dogs usually come to mind. But growing evidence — including a fascinating new study published in the journal Animals — suggests that some cats may be just as effective at reducing anxiety, providing comfort, and enhancing emotional well-being.

What Makes a Cat a Good Therapy Animal?

The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Animals, found that successful therapy cats tended to have:

Low fear responses to loud noises or unfamiliar people

High levels of friendliness and sociability

Low aggression, even in stressful or novel environments

Tolerance of being handled, petted, and even picked up by strangers

These traits allow therapy cats to thrive in environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, and schools — places where calm, affectionate, and emotionally attuned animals can make a real difference.

Interestingly, the study also found that cats involved in Animal-Assisted Interventions, including Animal-Assisted Therapy, Activities, and Education, were more likely to be purebreds and raised from kittenhood, suggesting that early socialization and breed characteristics may play a role in their therapeutic potential.

The Human Impact

Therapy cats have been shown to reduce anxiety, promote social interaction, and offer emotional grounding to people dealing with trauma, illness, or social isolation. Their quiet presence can be especially soothing to individuals with dementia, PTSD, or chronic pain.

And unlike dogs, cats don’t require outdoor breaks or extensive training, making them a practical — and often underestimated — option for many settings.

The Healing Power of a Cat’s Purr

Beyond behavior and temperament, cats may offer another, more subtle healing tool: their purr.

According to orthopedic researchers and anecdotal evidence from the medical community, a cat’s purr operates at a frequency between 25 and 150 Hz — a range shown to promote healing in bones, tendons, and muscles. Exposure to this frequency has been associated with:

Accelerated bone regeneration

Improved tendon and ligament repair

Enhanced joint flexibility and mobility

This helps explain why cat owners often describe a sense of physical relaxation and even pain relief when resting with a purring cat on their chest or lap. It’s not just emotional comfort — there may be a literal, physical healing mechanism at work.

Why It Matters

In institutional or caregiving settings, these feline qualities can have outsized benefits:

For long-term care residents, a gentle, calm cat can offer companionship without overwhelming energy.

For children with autism or sensory processing differences, a therapy cat’s soothing presence can help reduce anxiety.

For people recovering from trauma or illness, both the purring and the gentle attention of a cat can foster trust, relaxation, and recovery.

A New Era of Feline Therapy?

As the science evolves, more institutions may begin to recognize and utilize cats in formal therapy roles. Programs that train and certify therapy cats are still limited, but interest is growing.

The next time you see a calm, friendly feline curled up in someone’s lap at a care facility, remember: that cat might not just be a pet — it could be part of someone’s healing.

Stay proactive. Stay prepared. Stay healthy.

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