Emotionality Traits Drive Interest in Campus Cat Therapy, Study Shows
A study of over 1,400 university students and staff across 20 institutions found that individuals with high emotionality—a Big Five trait describing intense feelings—are more interested in cat-based stress-relief programs than dogs. Cat interactions lowered cortisol after about ten minutes, offering fast emotional regulation, and the results held across roles (student or staff) and demographics, suggesting campuses should consider including cats in animal-assisted interventions to reach those who respond best to feline contact.