When you go to see Kerry Lyons for support, Chives is there to help you too.
He's an 11-year-old Devon Rex cat, and works with Kerry, who is an accredited social worker in Brisbane/Meanjin, as part of her feline-assisted therapy program.
"Cats can have a really calming and gentle presence in the therapy room, but they also need the people around them to be emotionally regulated," says Ms Lyons.
Assisted therapy is just one context in which "therapy cats" are becoming increasingly common.
They're also paying visit to facilities such as aged-care homes and hospitals, and being registered as assistance animals.
So what makes cats so therapeutic and how do they compare to other therapy animals?
Where you will find 'therapy cats'
Animal-assisted services may help manage disability, illness and suffering, according to Animal Therapies Ltd.
That can include autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, and asthma, for example.
The organisation's founder Wendy Coombe explains in some contexts, the person working with the animal is a health professional, while in others, such as visitation to facilities including aged care, the human doesn't necessarily require a qualification.
"There are different types of animal-assisted practitioners that are working alongside cats — and what type of service they are delivering depends on the human qualifications of that registered health professional," Ms Coombe says.
"Then you have other professionals who might be teachers or educators, and they've undertaken an animal-assisted learning certified course and are delivering skills, development or training and may have cats as part of that."
For example, someone in a farm setting teaching a person how to regulate their emotions in the presence of a horse.
There are only a handful of government-registered assistance cats, which Ms Coombe says "help alleviate disabilities of handlers, that meet the standards of hygiene and behaviour".
How therapy cats can help
Ms Lyons works primarily with children and young adults, and focusing on emotional regulation, connection, social skills, problem solving and confidence.
She became interested in feline-assisted therapy when she noticed Chives offering comfort to clients in her waiting room, which is also connected to her husband's at-home acupuncture clinic.
"During COVID in the early days, our family cat would sit in the waiting area in her favourite spot on a long bench, and almost without fail, every client that was sitting waiting would pat her and say to me 'I don't normally like cats, but this one is different.'"
Ms Lyons says Chives isn't "necessarily different", but that she did notice how calming and friendly she was at a time when people were really stressed.
And while people commonly think of dogs and horses in animal assisted therapies, Ms Lyons says cats offer something unique.
"Horses are a prey animal, so they have really highly refined nervous systems — that impacts how they interact with people.
"Then dogs are actually [considered] predators, and have developed with people. Their relational skills are really important in their work."
Cats, on the other hand, are both prey and predator, Ms Lyons says.
As a result, cats need to feel safe, and need those around them to be emotionally regulated. But at the same time, Ms Lyons says, they have a lot to offer in terms of calmness and connection.
"Everybody talks about cats being aloof, and they can be, but can also choose [to connect with] people, which can be incredibly rewarding."
She says there is evidence to show their soft touch and purr is soothing.
Animal Therapies Ltd's Ms Coombe says cats are ideal for visiting schools, hospitals and care homes, where larger animals might not be suitable or where there are people who might be afraid of dogs.
She says cats being able to sit on someone's lap means they can provide that "close touch and warmth with another living thing".
"That is what a lot of people in aged care miss.
"Interacting with an animal in that context in a very positive way can increase oxytocin … and reduce cortisol which is the stress [hormone]."
What makes a good therapy cat?
Not every cat is suited to working in animal-assisted therapy, explains Ms Coombe.
An animal is assessed to ensure they are safe to interact with a client base, and to ensure it is comfortable in those situations.
"If they show any signs of stress, then they are not suitable for this kind of work," Ms Coombe says.
"We can't compromise on the safety of the human or the welfare of the animal."
Ms Lyons says working in animal-assisted therapy, it's the human's duty to consider the welfare of the animal as much as the client.
"The animal always has the option to opt out — it's completely voluntary involvement."
Regina Hall-Jones is a cat behaviour consultant and says some cats thrive on having interactions with new people.
"While most cats do like a secure, familiar environment, others like seeing new things and enjoy going out."
And while a cat's personality is not always breed-based, Ms Hall-Jones says breeds such as Bengals are more likely to be happier travelling outside of the home.
Ms Lyons says Chives enjoys meeting new people and experiencing new smells.
"She chose this work herself, that's what started my journey."
