Truffles and Gumdrop take a short break before getting back to their duties at A Child's Place, an optical shop in Pennsylvania. USA TODAY
Truffles, a remarkable housecat from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is more than just a pet; she’s a beloved part of A Child’s Eyes, an optical shop run by Danielle Crull. Since joining the family in 2017, Truffles has taken on a special role, helping kids feel more comfortable with their glasses and eye treatments.
Truffles’ journey began when Crull adopted her as a stray. The cat quickly proved to be quite special, mastering tricks and displaying an unusual tolerance for wearing glasses. Crull, intrigued by the idea, decided to try fitting Truffles with a pair of tiny pink glasses designed for premature babies. Truffles accepted them without fuss, setting the stage for her new role.
When children visit the shop, Truffles is often brought in to ease their nerves. Seeing a cat confidently wearing glasses or an eyepatch helps young patients feel less self-conscious about their own eye care. This approach has been successful in boosting the confidence and self-esteem of many children. “I think kids just kind of feel like they relate to her and, ‘Oh, Truffles is just like me.’ And it really boosts their confidence and self-esteem,” Crull explains.
The impact of Truffles extends well beyond the shop. Her presence has sparked interest globally, leading to the creation of the Truffles The Kitty Organization. Through educational videos, Truffles helps teach children about various vision issues, including Amblyopia and colour blindness. Her unexpected rise to internet fame started with a video of her in green glasses that went viral. This success led Crull to use Truffles’ popularity to further the reach of their non-profit efforts.
Truffles wears glasses and an eyepatch to inspire kids with Amblyopia, who also need to wear an eyepatch over their glasses. USA TODAY
The office has become a mini-celebrity hotspot, with Truffles often seen roaming around in one of her 25 pairs of glasses. Despite her fame, she continues to be a regular part of the office routine, helping with patients and creating a welcoming atmosphere. “Sometimes I just call her and then she comes out or sometimes she’s like ‘Hey, what’s going on?’ if there’s some commotion,” says Crull.
Recently, Crull introduced another cat, Gumdrop, to the office. This energetic orange kitten, also wearing glasses, adds to the office’s charm and provides additional companionship for Truffles. Together, they help make visits to the optician’s office more enjoyable for kids. Alongside Truffles and Gumdrop, the office also features other animals like hermit crabs and a bird to keep children entertained.
Truffles’ role at A Child’s Eyes goes beyond just being an office mascot. She plays a key part in making children’s first experiences with glasses and eye patches more memorable and positive. Crull hopes that through her work, Truffles helps children feel empowered and proud of their eyewear. “Truffles wants kids to feel empowered to walk out there and be like, ‘Yeah, I wear glasses,’ or ‘Yeah, I wear an eye patch just like Truffles,’” Crull adds.
