Okay, training a therapy cat.  Required, outgoing, smart and willing to
be trained cats.  Outgoing is very important too though. Did I mention
willing to be trained?

The first thing you need to get are harnesses they can't scooch out of.
 I use dog harnesses on my cats.  The ones I use are also easier to get
on and off the cat.  The next thing you need are extendable leashes so
when you take them for walks they get a bit more freedom but if you need
to reign them in that sucker goes down to about 18 inches.

Now that you have harnesses and leashes, start socializing them.  Take
them for walks to get used to noises, take them to friends who won't
mind.  Never miss a day to take them somewhere so they think it is
ordinary to go out and meet new people.  To transport them safely in the
car, make the lease short, run it through itself and reconnect it to a
cat while wrapping it around the head rest.  leave it long enough to
give them some room to move, but not enough to get off the seat.  An
alternative is to run it through an open windown then close the window
tightening the leash in the window and keeping the cat safely secured.

It may take a little while for them to become fearless, but with enough
practice, they will if they have the right temperament.

The next step is a thorough vet visit.  An up-to-date rabies shot is
required (and should already have been done), but you want to check for
fleas, deworm and make sure there are no signs of ringworm.
Essentially, you want a very clean bill of health.

Once you have all of that, start talking with your local hospital,
nursing home, childrens group homes, the possibilities are endless.
Find someplace small to begin with though and introduce the cats there.
 The more often they go there, the more comfortable they will be with
anyone who is there.

Bridget - trainer of personal therapy cats