Meet Mochi, the therapy cat bringing joy to NHS patients

The visits have been made possible thanks to generous funding from the POD family through CNWL NHS Health Charity, as part of a wider three-year programme bringing registered animals to CNWL services. The service will gradually expand across the Trust, giving more patients the opportunity to experience the companionship and joy that animals can bring during their care.

How Mochi became a therapy cat

Born in December 2024, Mochi is a friendly but naturally introverted cat, with an adventurous side that Cathy has encouraged from a young age by introducing him to travelling on a lead and different environments.

Cathy had been interested in becoming a Pets As Therapy volunteer for some time, so she was delighted when she saw the opportunity advertised at CNWL. Following the required assessment and training, Mochi became a registered Pets As Therapy cat.

Making a difference to patients

WICU is a CNWL community health service providing short-term nursing and therapy to help people regain their independence and return safely home.

Seeing a cat arrive at an NHS service is not something most people expect, and Mochi’s visits are often met with surprise and smiles. Patients can choose whether to spend time with him, while Mochi is free to explore at his own pace or take a break when he needs one. Some choose to give him a stroke, while others simply watch him wander around the room, sniff his surroundings or sit by the window.

For some, Mochi provides a welcome distraction and a chance to talk about cats they have owned or memories of pets from the past. For those who can no longer have a pet of their own because of their health or mobility, being able to spend time with him can be particularly meaningful.

Patients have also shared how much the visits have meant to them:

“I was thrilled to be able to tell my granddaughter about snuggling the gorgeous cat. She was so jealous.”

One patient’s family were particularly surprised by how much the visit meant to her father.

“I didn’t think Dad would like to have a pet visit him. I was so surprised when he told me about the cat in the ‘igloo’ visiting and how he talked to him. I had to check with the nurse it happened. It was a real eye opener that he enjoyed petting a cat.”

Mochi isn’t only a hit with patients. Staff are often among the first to greet him and make a fuss, bringing a little light relief to their working day too.

For Cathy, seeing the response from patients has made volunteering with Mochi particularly rewarding.

“Every adventure cat is different. It’s about working within their limits and finding what they’re comfortable with. When you do that, they can achieve amazing things, like becoming a therapy cat.”