I did a really different type of therapy cat gig this weekend! I got to be at a booth for City of Hope’s Walk for Hope event. The facility itself is a leading research and treatment center for many diseases, but it’s most well known for its work with cancer. The Walk for Hope is a fundraiser specifically for women’s cancers. Survivors and supporters could do a 2K or a 5K walk, and the campus had lots of booths and music and food trucks. A company called Pednar sponsored our therapy pet organization so we could share a booth there. I was one of four therapy pets that spent time there in the morning.
The cool thing about getting to come to this event is that normally, I don’t have clearance at City of Hope, so this is the one time I got to be there! I wanted to make sure that attendees realized that kitties could do therapy work too, since they only see the dogs during the week.
Even though it is the middle of autumn, it got pretty hot in the morning. My human’s biggest priority was making sure I had enough shade. She finally decided to sit my carrier down in a cool patch for people to come visit. Our booth was set up near the finish line, and it was quiet at first. Only a few people stopped by, and I got a little bored and wanted to wander on my leash for a few moments. Then, not long after my human and I returned, it got crazy! Hundreds and hundreds of people were coming through the finish line! Some of them had t-shirts or signs with the names of their loved ones on them. My human heard there was something like 10,000 people in attendance! Lots and lots of grown ups and kids stopped by to pet me and visit with me.
Mostly I curled up in the bottom half of my Sleepypod carrier and appreciated all the attention. Just about everyone was surprised at how calm I was. But why wouldn’t I be? Even though the atmosphere was party-like, it wasn’t like a regular expo or fair. I could sense that lots of these people needed my healing energy, for one reason or another. And I was more than happy to oblige.
2021 Somali Cat Wall Calendar, Starring Summer
See all of Summer’s merch at her her Zazzle Designercat Shop
Hope you get to do therapy visits again soon! <3
You’re a Super Hero Summer,always helping those that need it,xx Speedy
The people who completed the walks really accomplished something wonderful, and seeing you at the finish line made their experience even more special!
You sure had a different but special day there Summer! The world needs more therapy cats like you.
What a wonderful experience!
Wow, that was a wonderful event for you to attend!
Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs, Spike William
SUE-PURRB Summer!! Yore simpley amazin…well dun mee frend! Yore therapee iss needed efurrywhere!!!
***purrsss*** BellaDharma
What a pawsome thing to do Summer…….you are such a special girl!
Hugs, Teddy
Summer, you’re awesome! We love how you touch people’s hearts wherever you go!
Sounds like a great event, glad you had a good time Summer.
What a great event and pretty cool that you got to be part of it, Summer.
Summer, the work that you do cheering people up and showing them how wonder our kitties is so beautiful. Hope you got some rest today our sweet Summer!! We LOVE you!!!
That sounds just wonderful, Summer. We bet you’re happy you got to be there.
Thank you for being there to help those peeps to add more hope to their lives.
Love that you get to show how special cats are!
In a world where all you hear is BAD news and ANGRY, UGLY hoomans, it’s so nice to read about all the people you help make happy.
We love you!
Purrz!
Selina & MK
Oh Summer that sounds like a wonderful event. We are so proud of you, you are such a good ambassador for cats, we pretty much can do anything dogs can do. Mom says the only thing we can’t do is pull her wagon (Fenris does that sometimes) but honestly why would you want to pull a heavy wagon even the Mom doesn’t want to do that. Hence Fenris getting drafted.
You make a difference everywhere you go!
Good Job Summer
Yes, people don’t realize how important cats can be. Get the word out. There are a lot of people who would love a calm kitty to visit them.
On another note, my son was in the Iraq war and received 2 Purple Hearts and a head full of bad memories. He adopted a cat afterwards. It was amazing how attentive and perceptive the kitty was. When my son had flashbacks, this kitty wouldn’t leave his side and would calm my son down. Kitty did 12 years of service healing my son. I not sure if my son would of made it without this feline support…. point is …having Summer and her calm personality out there supporting & showing how good cats can be for healing services is fantastic. Keep it up.
I’ve sad it before. You do good work.
this is super impawtant and we love that you were present there!
What a wonderful event ! We’re glad you could attend ! Purrs
I am glad you were abl to make the ‘cat presence’ felt Summer. People genuinely may not know. I ear burned you on IG about Gracie who has oassed her therapy cat certification. I am so glad to see another TC ready to roll!
That sounds like a wonderful even and I’m glad they got to see Summer, the Superstar Therapy Kitty!
You are such a cool cat.
You do great work Summer
What a treat you were for all of those people, Summer!
Sounds like a great event. I know you brought smiles to so many attendees of the walk!
Wonderful event, you are a super representative of therapy cats!
Bodacious
You’re such an amazing girl, Summer!
How wonderful you were there and that’s a LOT of people!
Pawsome!!!
The Florida Furkids
What a truly amazing event to get invited to. We are so glad you were there to provide much needed purrtherapy and healing energy. This is such a wonderful cause. Great job ladies! Purrs
What a wonderful event, and you got to be part of it! Pawsome.
Once again you and your human did good work and helped people.
You and Mom are very caring bringing so much happiness! XXXX
You and your mom are a blessing Summer.
Many of those people have sadness and fear in their hearts and truly appreciate your healing calmness and purrs.
You and your human have such beautiful souls.. Thank you both for what you do with love and kindness for all the folks you meet!
As my mother would say, you (both) have earned another jewel in your heavenly crown
How wonderful that you attended that event.
We bet you were popular too.After all who wouldn’t want to pet a charming cat like you?
Purrs,Georgia and Julie