Cat and art therapy for stroke patients

Over four weeks in September, Madam Mahani Abdul Shariff, 60, dabbled in art jamming and interacted with cats as part of her stroke rehabilitation.

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She was one of four stroke survivors from Stroke Support Station (S3) participating in a pilot Kit-Fit programme organised by the stroke-focused community rehabilitation and wellness agency and Wildflower Studio, an art jamming space and rescue cat cafe at Enabling Village. Each weekly session lasted 90 minutes.

Madam Mahani had suffered symptoms similar to a stroke after brain surgery complications led to bleeding in the brain in 2023. She struggled to regain her strength and speech after the episode, but after a year with S3, she is more independent and has more confidence, says her daughter Farhana Khanafee, 34, a community manager in the interior design industry.

"We had a family cat who passed away a few years ago. Being able to pet and interact with the cats brought back so many fond memories. Painting a bag during the art jamming session also reminded her that she is still able to find joy in the little things despite all that she's been through," Ms Farhana adds.