provide therapy cats in schools.

 

This bill aims to reduce the stress of Minnesota high school students by providing shared areas with therapy cats to

improve mental and emotional well-being. These cats will be kept in an unused classroom which would be converted into a

living space for them while also serving as a visitation area for students. These cats will be cared for by student

volunteers and taken home on weekends, breaks, and other out-of-school time as part of a foster exchange system. In

addition, students will be required to sanitize their hands and body after interacting with the cats to avoid the spread

of allergens.

 

According to the American Psychological Association during a 2024 study, 75% of high school students report experiencing

boredom, anger, fear, or stress in school. This is an extremely high percentage of students. When students are stressed

or experiencing some other negative emotion during school, they become less productive and learn less material.

Providing therapy cats in school gives students a way to relieve built-up emotions and manage stress through spending

time with the cats. Therapy animals are proven to reduce depression and lower anxiety levels when in regular contact

with students, as explained by Husson University. These are two especially common struggles among high school

students—but both can be aided through therapy cats.

 

Therapy cats: domesticated animals that provide comfort, emotional support, and companionship to individuals in need

Stress: negative reaction to pressure or challenges

School: public high schools grades 9-12

Foster System: organized way of making sure cats are cared for during out-of-school time and other breaks

Student Volunteers: unpaid students volunteering their time to do work

Out-of-school time: holidays, teacher work days, or any other time where students are not in class

Sanitize: to clean one’s body of allergens, through washing hands and brushing hair off clothing

 

The cats will be adoptees from local shelters. These cats will be given a home at school as therapy animals. Schools

will pay for supplies and care for the cats out of their funding. To make up for this lost funding, the state property

tax will be raised by 0.05%. Part of this property tax goes to schools, meaning that the extra funding will make up for

the money allocated for care of the cats.

 

Schools will be fined $1,000 per semester for failure to provide cats. This fine will be paid to cat rescue

organizations to aid in the care for feral or endangered cats.

 

This bill will take effect at the beginning of the 2026/27 school year.