Take a paws in your day at the Cat Cafe. Picture Hein Kaiser It’s a big wow. Because theWoodrock Animal Rescue Cat Caféin Kyalami is not really the kind of place that you’d ever expect actually exist.
But it does. And who’d have ever thought that a space would exist where you can chill, have a cup of coffee and spend time in the company of around twenty kitty cats. More so, who’d ever have imagined that you can walk in with a somewhat flatlined mood and leave, well, with your spirits lifted and a bit of lightness in your step.
The change in mood is exactly the point of the Cat Café. Jacqui Martheze of Woodrock Animal Rescue said that the Cat Café has been, since its genesis, a mental health space. “People walk in carrying stress, anxiety, fear, sometimes even a fear of cats, and they walk out feeling calmer, lighter and more able to cope with their day,” she said and added that the impact of engaging with the cats has a rinse-and-repeat effect, because everyone leaves happy.
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“Animals add value to us on a physical, emotional and mental level. There are so many scientific studies showing that interaction with animals can lower blood pressure and increase serotonin and oxytocin, the bonding hormone. That’s what we want people to leave with, a sense of calm and balance.” Animal-assisted therapy research has consistently found that simple acts, such as petting an animal, can activate a relaxation response in the body, releasing serotonin and prolactin, hormones linked to mood regulation and reduced anxiety.
Published research supports what Martheze said. It plays out on the café’s floor cushions and couches.The moment you step inside the environment, kitties are at play with one another, and even if you just sit down, it’s inevitable that one of the felines would take a liking to you and join you on the couch or on the floor. There are staff around to help you, share toys to aid interactivity and to ensure that you have a jolly good time with a small army of furballs.
After paying your entrance fee, Martheze said, guests can stay as long as they want to. The Cat Café is for everyone, and visiting can be really beneficial for younger people, too. Research suggests animals help children feel more secure and comfortable, making it easier to express emotions and engage socially.
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