Rescue Cat From Hawaii Finds A New Purpose In Life After Meeting Sick Children

Liza isn’t an ordinary cat; she’s a tiny miracle covered in fur. Her owner, who never imagined she would one day have a therapy cat, often reflects on the remarkable journey they’ve shared.

It all began on a seemingly ordinary trip to a pet store, where she had gone only to pick up food for her older, health‑fragile cat. Adoption wasn’t part of her plan that day, yet life had other ideas.

In a quiet corner of the store, Liza, a one‑year‑old tortie tabby, sat patiently. While playful kittens nearby captured everyone’s attention, she reached her tiny paws through the crate bars, as if to say, “Look at me! Don’t forget I’m here!”

Her eyes glimmered with determination, quietly demanding to be seen, even as shoppers passed her by.

The woman’s heart ached as she stood there. She wanted so badly to take Liza home, but she reminded herself she already had a cat to care for, as she shared in a video:

“Right next to her were all the kittens where everybody was giving the kittens a lot of attention, but not her. And I was like, ‘Oh I’d love to take you home but I really can’t.’”

She almost walked away, but something drew her back. Standing once more in front of Liza’s crate, she knew the choice had been made. That moment marked the start of Liza’s journey to her forever home.

The woman recalled that special moment, sharing:

“Walked around the store, came back, and I’m like, ‘Okay, no, this cat has to come home with me.’ She really just chose me. We have been inseparable ever since.”

Before that day, Liza’s life had been far from easy. Rescued from Hawaii, she had bounced between homes and may have even been part of a hoarding situation. Yet, through it all, she remained affectionate and full of heart.

From the moment she arrived, it was obvious she was special. She shadowed her owner everywhere, rarely leaving her side.

Mischief came naturally too, like the time she snatched a slice of ham straight from a sandwich and darted away.

But the moment she put on her tiny bandana, she turned into the sweetest, most calming presence, winning over hearts wherever she went, as her mom shared:

“She’s very sweet and loving… Always seeking out someone new or laying on someone’s lap, maybe falling asleep with them. She’s really good at what she does because she is so sweet but also because she is so outgoing and so personable.”

The idea of turning Liza into a therapy cat began at a Halloween costume contest at their vet’s office.

Surrounded by people and dogs, including a large, energetic Labradoodle leaping right toward her, Liza remained completely unfazed.

She stayed composed, taking in all the attention as if it were second nature. It was then that a vet tech remarked that Liza would make an ideal therapy cat.

Training Liza didn’t happen overnight, but her owner guided her patiently, one step at a time.

Thankfully, Liza was already comfortable wearing a harness from their little outings together. After six months of careful preparation, she was ready to take on her new role.

Today, Liza spends her time visiting hospitals and schools, offering comfort to those who need it most.

At a children’s hospital, she even helps young patients recovering from serious injuries practice their motor skills.

She lies patiently as they pet her or use spoons to feed her treats. The kids light up whenever Liza hops onto their laps and curls up for a nap, as her mom shared:

“A lot of these kids are very medically fragile and maybe they’re recovering from different traumatic brain injuries so we would use Liza as a way that they can work on their motor skills. And she’ll just lay down, let them pet her… It’s really rewarding.”

Liza’s efforts have impacted more than just the people she visits – they’ve also reshaped her owner’s life.

Once someone who preferred quiet days curled up with a book, she now finds herself out and about regularly, meeting new faces and embracing experiences she never expected.

Liza has inspired her in ways she never imagined, sharing:

“She’s really a calming presence and I’m still shocked that a little cat can be so calming and so amazing when she came from so much chaos before. It’s been an amazing journey I think for both of us.”

Liza perfectly shows how one furry friend can change lives and how much love and comfort it can bring to those who need it, as Liza’s mom put it:

“The world needs a lot more therapy cats. They are such an underutilized resource… Having them available makes it much more equitable and accessible for everybody who could use some therapy work.”

It’s incredible to see how much impact animals can have, brightening lives and making the world a kinder place. Clearly, we could all use more therapy cats!