Friendly Cat Joins Pet Therapy Program At Tampa-Area Hospital

RIVERVIEW, FL — St. Joseph’s Hospital South in Riverview recently welcomed its newest addition to its pet therapy program: Bentley, a 13-year-old Chinchilla Persian.

Bentley joins 11 dogs that provide therapeutic services to patients and staff at the hospital.

He’s a rarity in the pet therapy world, his owner, Kathy Hofstad, told Patch.

“Therapy cats are not nearly as common as therapy dogs are,” she said. “There’s only one other therapy cat I’m aware of in Maryland.”

Hofstad has long been involved with pet therapy programs. While she lived in Maryland, she had her late pup, Mercury, certified as a therapy dog.

Then, when she moved to Florida in 2021, she began looking for similar programs and Mercury joined St. Joseph’s about three years ago.

Bentley, who she rescued about eight years ago, previously visited St. Joseph’s for a Blessing of the Animals event.

“That’s when I realized he would probably be a really good therapy pet. He loves being around people,” Hofstad said.

She had him certified in Florida late last fall and “he passed with flying colors,” she said.
Persian cats are a great breed for pet therapy work.

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“They’re calm and they love people,” according to Hofstad. “I knew he’d do a great job.”

Not only does Bentley visit patients at the hospital every week, but the staff also looks forward to seeing him.

She hopes that Bentley inspires other owners of social cats to consider putting them in pet therapy programs.

“I would just encourage people if they have pets who are social and friendly that they really should explore that because it is really wonderful to be able to share your animal with folks in hospitals,” she said. “It is a really rewarding experience.”