When most people think of therapy animals, dogs usually steal the spotlight. They visit hospitals, cuddle stressed college students, and brighten long days in care facilities. Cats, on the other hand, are often seen as too independent or aloof for that kind of job. But new research suggests that some cats might actually be perfect for therapy work. A recent study published in the journal Animals found that certain cats share personality traits that make them well suited for animal assisted services. The research was co authored by Washington State University professor Patricia Pendry and researchers in Belgium, where therapy cats are already more common than in the United States. The takeaway for cat owners is simple but exciting. While not every cat would enjoy being a therapy animal, some truly thrive on human interaction and may love offering comfort to others.