{"id":215621,"date":"2026-04-30T17:07:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T17:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/215621\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T17:07:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T17:07:10","slug":"therapy-cats-pop-up-near-nyu-new-york-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/215621\/","title":{"rendered":"Therapy Cats Pop-Up Near NYU \u2013 New York Family"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"FreeThe Therapod tour kicks off in May in New York City, will head to Chicago in September, and Los Angeles in October. (PRNewsfoto\/Purina Friskies)<\/p>\n

Purina Cat Chow\u2019s Therapod brings certified therapy cats to NYC during finals week, offering New Yorkers a calming, screen-free break near NYU and Washington Square Park.<\/p>\n

At a Glance<\/p>\n

Therapy cat pop-up coming to NYC during finals week
\nFree, phone-free experience for all near NYU
\nHosted by Purina Cat Chow with certified therapy cats
\nBacked by research showing stress reduction benefits
\nPart of a national tour hitting Chicago and Los Angeles next<\/p>\n

Psst\u2026 Check Out Smorgasburg Is Opening in Central Park This May<\/a><\/p>\n

Therapy Cats Pop-Up Near NYU<\/p>\n

If you have a teen or college-age student, you know that right now is heading toward major crunch time for finals. You probably also remember how anxiety-provoking finals were. Studies show finals week can even affect a woman\u2019s cycle<\/a> simply due to the stress. Instead of another wellness app or unhelpful advice to just take a walk, Purina Cat Chow is trying to help students \u2013 and all New Yorkers_\u2013 destress with a little cat therapy.<\/p>\n

\"FreePurina Cat Chow brings the healing power of cats to college campuses across the country as part of its Cats as Therapy Project. (PRNewsfoto\/Purina Friskies)<\/p>\n

This May, Purina is bringing its Cat Chow Therapod to college campuses, starting in New York City at Washington Square Park. It\u2019s a mobile, phone-free space filled with certified therapy cats, and part of a bigger effort to help students unplug and reset without screens. It\u2019s honestly something we could all use, not just students, since parents are inundated with tech to-dos.<\/p>\n

Inside the Therapod, you\u2019ll find certified therapy cats from Pet Partners, like Pumpkin<\/a> and Lola Pearl<\/a>, groups that specialize in animal-assisted therapy. It\u2019s a calm space where visitors can sit, pet a cat, and soothe their nervous systems and brains. Sitting quietly with a cat might be the most realistic stress relief option out there.<\/p>\n

There is also science behind this, since studies show that even 10 minutes with a cat can lower cortisol, the hormone tied to stress. If you\u2019ve ever had a cat curl up next to you or start purring out of nowhere, you already know that this simple calming activity can help slow down a frantic mind.<\/p>\n

The cat therapy is open to all, not just students, and here will also be adoptable cats from Meow Squad<\/a> if you\u2019d like to add to your family. Over 20K people, from ages 5-80, showed up when this event was held last year.<\/p>\n

\"FreeThe Cat Chow Therapod offers participants a moment of calm through connection with certified therapy cats from Pet Partners. (PRNewsfoto\/Purina Friskies)
\nWhere to Find the Cat Chow Therapod in NYC<\/p>\n

The pop-up kicks off right in the middle of finals season:<\/p>\n

May 6\u20137, 10 am\u20134 pm
\nNear New York University (College of Arts & Science entrance)
\nAdjacent to Washington Square Park<\/p>\n

It\u2019s free, open to students, and designed to be a quick reset between study sessions.<\/p>\n

NYC is the first stop, but the tour continues in Chicago, on September 16\u201317 at DePaul University, and in Los Angeles on October 6\u20137 at UCLA and Westwood Village.<\/p>\n

Cat Chow also launched a digital companion program through its Cats as Therapy project, with simple ways to bring a little of that same calm into daily life.<\/p>\n

Psst\u2026 Check Out 24 Things to Do with the Kids This Weekend in NYC<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sign<\/a><\/p>\n

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