Helping Hands Humane Society has provided three cats to be cared for by selected residents at the Topeka Correctional Facility, offering the opportunity for growth and companionship.
Resident Leeann Garcia was chosen to be a handler in the PHAT Cats program, which stands for “Placing Homeless and Terrific Cats.”
“I literally sat here in my room last night and thought there’s going to be a cat in here tomorrow,” Garcia said, clearly emotional. “So it’s really emotional.”
On Tuesday, February 25, Garcia welcomed her new furry companion from Helping Hands Humane Society.
“I have his little house all set up,” Garcia said. “I do know that he’s supposed to be arthritic, so I’ve set up a step stool so he can get up on my bed, and he has his own little blanket on my bed.”
The PHAT Cats program is designed to help residents develop nurturing and responsibility through the care of the cats. Warden Dona Cook explained that the program’s purpose extends beyond just caring for the animals.
“They’re gonna be out there with you, so how do you want them out there with you?” Cook said. “Do you want them to be more hardened, or do you want them to learn that they can actually build self-esteem, have a job, help others, and help animals? And when they get out, they’ll be a different person than when they came in.”
For Garcia, her new companion, Geezer, is already showing her the potential for personal growth.
“I’ve been here a long time, and I never really thought this would happen,” Garcia said. “It’s really humbling that the staff recognizes how much I’ve worked on myself.”
Warden Dona Cook mentioned that if the program proves successful, the facility may welcome even more furry friends in the future.
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