Rajah, the Therapy Cat

by Rajah Patpaw Purr

I was a therapy cat. My humans used to live in an adult care center, where my grandmeowmie was the manager. Because I am such a well behaved kitty, grandmeowmie's boss allowed me to move into the care center with my humans. Little did they know that I would become an important employee.

I began sneaking out of the care center to visit the accompanying nursing home within days of moving in. While nurses and doctors weren't looking, I darted in and out of rooms to say hello to each resident. The staff didn't notice I had become a regular until a few of the residents pointed me out, saying "There goes that sweet little cat again!".

My job was very important because most of the residents didn't have families that could visit them frequently, so I kept them from feeling lonely and unloved. There were also many residents who couldn't remember their childrens' names, or anything that happened to them, yet I was always an eagerly anticipated and memorable visitor to their rooms. Some residents began to regain memories while I purred in their lap as they stroked my fur.

When my humans decided to move out of the complex, they had to take me around and help me say goodbye to all the residents that woke up each day to see me dart past their window, or in the door. It made me feel good to know that I had so many people who loved to see me, and I know it made them feel good to have me visit them, as well. My job as a therapy cat was a very rewarding experience, and I think more kitties should try it!