By Steven Jones
Throughout history, animals have worked alongside humans in extraordinary ways, from dogs sniffing out cancer to carrier pigeons delivering messages during wartime. Among these remarkable stories is that of Oscar, a therapy cat with an uncanny ability to predict death.
The Role of Therapy Cats
Cats, often seen as aloof and independent, can offer profound therapeutic benefits. They help calm the elderly and ill, lower stress levels, and provide comforting companionship. This was Oscar’s role at Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island.
Oscar’s Unique Talent
Oscar, a tri-colored kitten, joined Steere House in 2005 at just six months old. Unlike the other therapy cats, Oscar didn’t immediately take to his role of comforting the residents. He preferred solitude, often avoiding human interaction altogether.
Initially, Oscar was written off as unsuitable for the job. However, as he grew, a peculiar pattern emerged. Oscar began curling up beside the sickest patients, those nearing the end of their lives. The staff soon noticed that every patient Oscar chose to lie next to would pass away within hours.
Discovery of Oscar’s Ability
Dr. Joan Teno, a physician at Steere House, observed this phenomenon and noted Oscar’s presence in the final hours of a patient’s life. His ability was so consistent that the staff began to use his behavior as a signal to alert families, allowing them to say their goodbyes.
The Science Behind the Scent
The exact reason behind Oscar’s ability remains a mystery. Dr. David Dosa, who worked at Steere House and later wrote a book about Oscar, proposed that the cat could detect chemical changes or smells associated with dying. Although unproven, this theory aligns with how some dogs can sniff out illnesses such as cancer.
Oscar’s behavior wasn’t merely coincidental. Over the years, he accurately predicted over 100 deaths. This remarkable consistency earned him the nickname “Angel of Death.”
Oscar’s Legacy
Despite his aloof nature, Oscar’s presence brought comfort to many during their final moments. His ability provided families with the precious opportunity to say their farewells, something that traditional medical signals often couldn’t predict as accurately.
Oscar’s story gained media attention in 2007, sparking both skepticism and awe. While some dismissed his ability as a series of coincidences, others believed in his sixth sense.
Animal behaviorists offered alternative explanations, suggesting that Oscar’s behavior was learned. They proposed that he mimicked the nurses, who often stayed by the bedside of dying patients, or that he was simply drawn to the stillness of those near death.
A Remarkable Life
Regardless of the explanations, Oscar’s consistent behavior was undeniable. From being considered an unsuitable therapy cat, he transformed into a vital part of the Steere House community. His story illustrates the mysterious and powerful bonds that can exist between animals and humans.
Oscar passed away in February 2022 at the age of 17. His legacy lives on as a testament to the incredible, sometimes unexplainable, connections that animals can form with humans.