Therapy Cats Visited Bentonville Walmart Headquarters
The Cats as Therapy Project brought certified animals to Bentonville to promote mental health awareness.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Cats
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The Cats as Therapy Project held a community pet event on the Welcome Lawn at the Walmart headquarters in Bentonville. The initiative provided attendees the opportunity for screen-free interactions with certified therapy cats.
Why it matters
The Cats as Therapy Project aims to highlight the mental health benefits of spending time with cats. By promoting mental health awareness, the event offers a unique space for residents to engage with trained animals.
Beth Kilian and her cat Sweet Andy have served as a certified therapy team for 7 years. Additionally, the Best Friends Pet Resource Center sponsored the adoption fees for all animals placed during the event.
The players
Cats as Therapy Project
This initiative is a collaboration between Purina and Pet Partners aimed at promoting the mental health benefits of human-cat interactions.
Best Friends Pet Resource Center
This organization facilitates pet adoptions and provides resources to help local animals find permanent homes.
Beth Kilian
She is a volunteer who has served as a certified therapy team partner alongside her cat, Sweet Andy, for seven years.
The details
The event featured a specialized therapod where guests could interact with therapy cats to support mental wellness. Meanwhile, the Best Friends Pet Resource Center brought adoptable animals to the site to facilitate new homes for local pets.
Timeline
The event took place on October 12, 2026.
The first therapod event occurred for World Mental Health Day in 2025.
Culture Shift
The event follows the project's established pattern of touring major cities like New York and Los Angeles to bring therapy animal services to local communities. This reflects a growing societal trend of utilizing animal-assisted therapy to address modern mental health needs.
Residents in Bentonville benefited from waived adoption fees sponsored by the Best Friends Pet Resource Center during the event. Attendees also gained access to educational resources regarding the mental health advantages of cat companionship.
The takeaway
Spending time with therapy animals can serve as an effective, screen-free method to boost personal mental well-being. Local residents looking to improve their health may consider volunteering with certified therapy organizations or visiting their nearest shelter.
Further reading
Learn more about the bond between people and their pets in our Cats section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Home Page.
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