In between classes, third-year sociology student Veronica Rodriguez spent her Tuesday afternoon petting a Maine Coon cat inside a carpet-lined box.

Purina, a pet care company, held the Cat Chow Cats As Therapy Project event at Wilson Plaza on Tuesday and Broxton Plaza on Wednesday to highlight the mental health benefits of cats.

Participants lined up to enter the “Therapod” – a mobile, see-through box with seats – and shared the phone-free space with cats and their handler for ten minutes.

“It was very therapeutic,” Rodriguez said. “Getting to see the cat, feel the cat and also learn more about their mission as well and what they do.”

The idea for the project was inspired by research which found that interacting with a cat for just ten minutes can significantly reduce one’s stress levels, said Annie Valuska, a pet behaviorist at Purina.

“We’re just trying to bring the healing power of cats to as many people as possible,” she said.

The Therapod has gone on tour, visiting universities in New York, Chicago and now Los Angeles since starting in May 2026.

Joanne Carloni, a pet handler from Phoenix, said the space inside the Therapod was calming and comfortable. Carloni brought her personal pet cat Rigatoni to the Therapod on Tuesday.

“Putting a cat in the same room with you just automatically brings your heart rate down,” she said. “It definitely relieves any feelings that you might be having that are not positive.”

Third-year public health student Parmis Baroumand said spending ten minutes with a cat relieved her stress.

“We’re trying to visit at particularly stressful times on campuses to really amplify the benefit that these cats can bring,” Valuska said.

Purina supported the pet owners and handlers on tour by offering water, cat treats and toys, Carloni said.

Rodriguez said she hopes to attend more events like this on campus, especially during finals week. The event inspired non-cat lovers to interact with the animals, Valuska added.

“Our hope is that this event is going to raise awareness about the fact that cats can be outstanding therapy pets,” Valuska said. “They do form deep bonds with people, and they can be extremely friendly and sociable.”