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

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