People often say, “Cats are cold, aloof.” But only those who’ve truly hugged a cat know — it’s one of the quietest, purest forms of healing.

Hanh, 27, lived alone in Saigon after a rough heartbreak and losing her job. Her nights were long, silent, and heavy with loneliness.

One day, wandering aimlessly near a park, she found a tiny black kitten curled in a cardboard box. It didn’t run — just let out a soft “meow,” like a gentle greeting. Hanh took it home and named her Bap.

At first, Bap hid under the bed. But within days, she began creeping closer, especially when Hanh cried quietly at night.

The first hug came during a rainy evening. Hanh couldn’t sleep, sitting silently on her bed. Bap climbed onto her lap, rested her head, and curled up.
“I cried,” Hanh said. “But for the first time, I didn’t feel alone.”

Studies show that hugging a cat releases oxytocin — the “bonding hormone” that slows the heart rate, calms the breath, and creates a deep sense of comfort. Sometimes, healing doesn’t come with words — just soft fur and silent presence.

Six months later, Hanh was smiling again. She’d found a new job, new light, and a deep connection that began with one small hug.

“Bap didn’t save me with magic,” she said. “She simply showed up — every single day.”

A cat’s hug might not change the world — but for someone in pain, it might just be everything.