Neuroscience and Psychology Club (NAP) hosted Art for Mind and Paws on Apr. 16, where students could grab a bite with their friends, make DIY cat toys, and enjoy their afternoon with NAP Club, all while watching a movie together. This event took place in the MPR and was open to all students, aiming to promote mindfulness and relaxation within Arcadia High School’s (AHS) community.
The event began with grabbing drinks and snacks from the food table, including Doritos, Sour Patch Kids, Coca-Cola, Sprite, and pepperoni and cheese pizzas.
Soon after, the organizers announced that the materials for the cat toys were up at the front of the MPR, so participants made a beeline to grab their baby socks and stuffing, and catnip was handed out to each table. Participants grabbed their baby sock, stuffed it one-third of the way, added a pinch of catnip, and tied it off. Every five cat toys rewarded one volunteering hour.
All the cat toys participants made were collected by NAP Club and dropped off at the Pasadena Humane Society, a nonprofit animal welfare organization that serves as a shelter for homeless pets. They provide adoption, fostering, lost-and-found, and low-cost veterinary services (spay/neuter, vaccines) for pets and wildlife.
Sophomore Sofia Le, NAP Club’s Secretary, elaborated on what happened behind the scenes and how NAP Club came up with the idea of making cat toys.
“Before we thought of the idea to make cat toys, NAP Club officers actually had other ideas, including a meeting for therapy dogs and even possibly a field trip to a training center. Unfortunately, dogs on campus are not allowed, and it seemed a little too late in the year for a field trip. One of our officers found the different service project options people can create through Pasadena Humane, and we ended up choosing to make cat toys,” said Le.
The time came to watch a movie, and after some debate between Clueless, Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, and other options, a majority vote settled on Legally Blonde. People watched and enjoyed food while making cat toys to earn volunteer hours. At the end, participants cleaned up their tables and dropped off their cat toys.
“As an officer in [NAP] Club, I hope students leave our event realizing how easy and effortless it is to make a difference in our community. I also hope students felt comfortable at Art for Minds and Paws and had a great time earning volunteer hours while hanging out with friends,” said Le.
Photo Courtesy of @ahsneuropsych Instagram
