A Change of Heart

The busy life of a therapy rabbit leads to many places. From visiting preschools, high schools and college campuses to providing comfort at hospitals, whether to a pediatric cancer patient or an elderly veteran suffering with dementia, therapy rabbits provide compassionate support to those who need it most. Our Therapets animals and the dedicated volunteers who work with them are always on the move providing pet therapy sessions wherever they are needed.

A recent visit to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in the Hill District left two Therapets volunteers with a heartwarming story and an experience they won’t soon forget.

A group of 20-25 children were enjoying the company of three therapy rabbits, reading to them and getting in some quality one-on-one time when three young boys came in and began poking fun at the group, laughing, taunting and name-calling. After being reprimanded the three left the library, but a short time later one of the boys returned.

He wasn’t there to tease though. Instead, he asked for a book so he could read to one of the rabbits. Touched by the boy’s change of heart, the volunteers helped him pick out a book and the young boy began reading to one of the therapy rabbits.

No sooner than he had turned the first page, the two other boys returned, this time mocking their friend for doing “kid stuff” and being a “baby.” The boy just kept reading as his friends were again asked to leave. But just a few minutes later they returned for a third time. The volunteers and library staff perked up as they walked through the doors and over to the Therapets area. But just like the first boy, they had had a change of heart.

By the end of the day, the three boys sat there, reading to the rabbits and enjoying the healing company a therapy animal can provide.

Last year more than 45,000 lives were positively impacted by visits from Animal Friends’ Therapets. With no shortage of a need for pet-therapy certified companion animals, we are thrilled to watch our program continue to grow. But this growth can’t continue without you.

And, there is no better time than now to give. An anonymous donor has set forth an incredibly generous challenge and will match every donation 50 cents on the dollar, up to $40,000!

Please donate today.