safety
Meet Mama Cat, the therapy feline at Centers for Children and Families
By Lauren Munt at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com)
· June 26, 2026
· 2 min read
MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - Centers for Children and Families has been serving the Permian Basin since 1957, and its most high-ranking employee arrived almost by accident.She wandered on to the property a little over eight years ago and employees kept her around to keep mice and critters away, but sh...
Key takeaway From pest control to therapy“Mainly what she does, we call her our therapy cat, because she will meet everybody at the front door and she just hangs out up there,” Arons said.
Why this matters in The Odessa
Mama Cat's presence at Centers for Children and Families speaks to the creative ways local organizations are addressing mental health and wellness in the Permian Basin. As a community that has faced unique challenges related to rapid growth and economic shifts, it's heartening to see a therapy cat bringing comfort and joy to those who need it. The fact that patients like Natalie Rios feel drawn to Mama Cat, and that she provides a sense of security and companionship, underscores the importance of innovative approaches to therapy. It will be interesting to see if other local organizations follow suit, incorporating animals or other non-traditional therapies into their programs. For now, Mama Cat remains a beloved fixture at Centers for Children and Families, and her impact is a testament to the power of compassion and connection in our community. Her story may inspire other local groups to explore similar initiatives.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - Centers for Children and Families has been serving the Permian Basin since 1957, and its most high-ranking employee arrived almost by accident.She wandered on to the property a little over eight years ago and employees kept her around to keep mice and critters away, but sh...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Lauren Munt at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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