Pet therapy cat joins the team at Waimea hospital

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Whiskey with a patient.
WHISKEY
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A specially trained cat has joined the team at Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea.

Whiskey, a 3-year-old orange tabby cat, reported for his first shift of animal therapy recently at QNHCH.

Whiskey spent his first shift meeting staff and sleeping on patient beds.

Expanding the animal therapy team to include a cat helps the hospital to better meet the varied preferences of its patients.

The hospital’s animal therapy teams consist of dogs as well as a miniature horse — and now a cat. Teams visit with patients, visitors and staff, bringing comfort, healing and joy to all.

Anyone interested in training and registering their pet as an therapy animal team can learn more at petpartners.org.