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In a city where stress levels run high and phone screens rarely go dim, New York college students are getting an unlikely new therapist this week: cats. From October 8–10, Purina Cat Chow is parking a roving “Therapod” around Manhattan campuses to mark World Mental Health Day—and give students a reason to put down their phones and pick up a purring feline instead.
The Cat Chow Therapod is part of the brand’s new “Cats as Therapy Project,” a partnership with Pet Partners, a nonprofit organization recognized for its animal-assisted therapy programs. Inside the pod, students can sign up for 10-minute sessions with certified therapy cats, such as Pumpkin, each designed to lower stress and help combat digital burnout. Entry comes with one small catch: Participants must temporarily turn in their phones at the door.
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“There is a real sense of urgency to address emotional burnout among young adults, as we're seeing a generation overwhelmed by digital noise and emotional fatigue,” said Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and researcher collaborating on the project. “Even brief, intentional moments of calm—like those involving therapy animals—can have a big impact to help regulate the nervous system and restore balance.”
The feline pop-up tour will start on Wednesday, October 8, from 12–6 pm at the High Line’s Gansevoort Plaza, before moving to NYU’s Washington Square East on October 9 and Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus on October 10. Students can reserve a slot online, though a limited number of walk-up sessions will also be available each day. A valid student ID is required.
According to research cited by Cat Chow, just 10 minutes spent petting a cat can measurably reduce cortisol levels, the body’s stress hormone. It’s a small dose of calm with potentially big benefits. As Dr. Annie Valuska, Purina scientist and certified animal behaviorist, put it: “A cat can be a great choice for a therapy pet! And the engagement can be mutually beneficial.”
For students juggling finals, deadlines and digital fatigue, the idea of swapping screen time for a few minutes of soft paws and steady purring might be the most soothing study break New York has ever seen.