Truffles is a unique feline, employed full-time at an optical shop in Pennsylvania to enhance children’s experiences with glasses. Notably, she also wears glasses herself.

Truffles began her unofficial role at A Child’s Eyes in Mechanicsburg, located 8 miles west of Harrisburg, in 2017, shortly after Danielle Crull, a pediatric optician and shop owner, adopted her as a stray.

This clever kitty quickly showcased her talents, easily learning all the tricks Crull introduced. One day, Crull thought about fitting Truffles with glasses designed for premature infants.

To her surprise, Truffles was quite okay with wearing glasses.

Whenever kids visited for fittings, Crull would bring out Truffles, helping to ease their anxiety by demonstrating that if a cat could confidently wear glasses or an eyepatch, so could they.

Crull observed, “Kids feel connected to her, thinking, ‘Oh, Truffles is just like me,’ and it significantly boosts their confidence.”

While Truffles started her journey at A Child’s Place, her impact has expanded globally, thanks to the non-profit Truffles The Kitty Organization and engaging educational videos on social media.

Truffles uses her fame to make a difference, her owner says

Crull didn’t initially expect Truffles to become an internet sensation; it just organically occurred.

Crull aimed to use Truffles to educate kids about eye care, including how to properly maintain and wear their glasses. She also produced videos addressing specific vision challenges kids might encounter, such as Amblyopia and color blindness.

“Truffles is excellent at demonstrating to children that it’s okay. My main idea was to make a few clips to show kids how to care for glasses,” Crull recounted.

Truffles’ popularity skyrocketed after one of her patients shared an experience with her on Facebook, turning things “crazy,” according to Crull.

“I intended simply to educate, not to go viral. I thought it would be helpful,” she added. “She’s so clever. I even trained her to point to pictures on the eye chart and recognize various symbols.”

Truffles’ first moment of fame came in 2019, when Crull shared a video showing her wearing her new green glasses. This video created a wave of interest, motivating Crull to produce more content and leverage Truffles’ online fame to establish the non-profit.

While it’s tough to pinpoint exactly how many children Truffles has positively impacted, Crull estimates that the number is in the thousands by now.

“The non-profit has truly allowed Truffles to reach out and motivate children not just in our office but across the country and even internationally,” Crull noted.

A typical day at work

Despite her newfound fame, Truffles’ daily routine at A Child’s Place remains unchanged.

She continues to stroll around the office, showcasing her collection of 25 pairs of glasses while assisting Crull with patients.

“Sometimes I just call for her, and she comes running, or she might check if there’s some activity going on. It varies. She has the freedom to explore the office and go wherever she pleases. If I need her, I’ll call her,” said Crull.

To further enhance the environment for children, Crull decided to add another cat to the office for company and to keep Truffles engaged. The new addition is a lively orange cat named Gumdrop.

“It’s not uncommon for visitors to ask to see Truffles. Now with Gumdrop, who also wears glasses, we definitely have playful kitties to make kids feel more at home,” Crull explained. “Together, they create an inviting atmosphere for nervous children.”

In addition to Truffles and Gumdrop, Crull also keeps other pets in the office, including some hermit crabs and a bird, to keep kids entertained. However, Truffles and Gumdrop uniquely sport glasses.

“While toys are helpful, having animals around provides another layer of distraction. The more engaging elements present, especially during their first time trying on glasses, the better,” Crull emphasized.

Truffles is privileged to be a part of a child’s life during a remarkable occasion, striving to enhance that experience, making it even more “special and memorable,” according to her.

“Truffles aims to give children the confidence to step out and proclaim, ‘Yes, I wear glasses,’ or ‘Yes, I wear an eye patch just like Truffles,'” she shared.