She nearly released him the moment she noted ho stiff he was, but then he goes soft and she smiles gently, at one point even bringing her hand up to stroke over his hair. He can be gentle, the way he returns her hug is proof of that to her.
"Yes, like that, gentle." She replies when he tickles the cat's chin. "You will be able to, if you want to." Certain of this, she shifts the cat into his arms and helps position it so he can hold it gently. "Like this."