They’re feline less stressed about finals!
New York University students plagued by end-of-semester anxieties snuggled certified therapy cats at a pop-up in Washington Square Park Wednesday — calling it the purr-fect remedy for academic burnout.
Co-eds cuddled kitties in the mobile therapy pod, set up by the pet food firm Purina, to combat everything from final exam headaches to overstimulation in the bustling Big Apple.
“Hearing the purr of the cat is very soothing. I think that’s why it helped. There is a calm. It’s a quiet environment,” said Maryam Amanullah, a 24-year-old PhD candidate in physics. “Just feeling the soft fur was really comforting.”
Students lapped up furry affection from 7-year-old Lola Pearl— a three-legged dilute tortoiseshell cat with a prosthetic leg and an ultra-mellow personality.
“It was a lot of fun to hang out with Lola. She’s so relaxed, and that rubs off on us, I guess,” said Raymond Fan, a 21-year-old biology major.
“You definitely disconnect from whatever’s on your mind, the stresses of your daily life and you get to just focus on one thing, and that’s watching a little cat just relax.”
The cellphone-free “therapod” gave students 10 minutes to “unplug” and “connect” with the three mental health purr-fessionals Wednesday — as part of an initiative to fight America’s mental health crisis, according to Purina, which teamed up with the non-profit Pet Partners.
Two other cats, named Sweet Andrew and Pumpkin, took turns showering students snuggles during 2-hour shifts.
Others ducked into the pod as they were pelted with rain on the gray day — saying the visit gave them a much needed “paws” from gloomy everyday life.
“We’re all, like, away from home at college. We don’t have our pets with us,” said Fiona Johnson, a 19-year-old film student. “Animals [are] just so relaxing to be around and they just make you feel so much better.”
The therapy cats, certified by Pet Partners, must be at least one year old, have lived with their owner for six months, and have a calm, friendly, and patient temperament.
“Cats can be very sensitive to our emotional states, and their natural social behavior is a great fit for improving our mood,” said Dr. Annie Valuska, an animal behaviorist working for the company.
“A cat quietly resting nearby, seeking gentle physical contact or purring can help us slow down and reset. The Therapod brings that special experience directly to students – many of whom are miles from home and the pets they love.”
“Research shows that just 10 minutes with a cat can measurably reduce cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. For college students navigating finals, new semesters, and life away from home, time with a therapy cat can make a meaningful difference, ” Purina said in a press release.
The therapy pod will be up and running in Washington Park until Saturday.