Purina Brings Therapy Cats to NYC Campuses for Student Mental Health
Nestlé Purina PetCare, renowned for brands like Purina Pro Plan and Beneful, is introducing a unique initiative to New York City college students. From October 8-10, they're presenting the Cat Chow Therapod, a mobile wellness pod offering 10-minute sessions with therapy cats. This project, part of Purina's 'Cats as Therapy Project', aims to tackle mental health challenges affecting millions of Americans.
Research indicates that 83% of Generation Z believe they have an unhealthy relationship with their phones, leading to negative impacts on mental health and focus. Purina, through its brand Purina Cat Chow, has partnered with Pet Partners to bring this project to life. It's based on findings that college students who spent just 10 minutes daily interacting with a cat experienced measurable drops in cortisol, the stress hormone. The Therapod offers these sessions at three locations near college campuses, with participants handing over their phones during the sessions.
Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist, stresses the importance of addressing emotional burnout among young adults. She believes brief, intentional moments of calm, like those involving therapy animals, can be beneficial. Annie Valuska, a Purina scientist and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, underscores the mutual benefits of cat-human interaction in therapy sessions.
The 'Cats as Therapy Project' aims to address mental health challenges affecting one in five adults in the U.S., approximately 59 million people. By offering these sessions, Purina Cat Chow hopes to provide a moment of calm and stress relief for college students amidst their busy schedules.
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