Guinea Pigs As Therapy Pets

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guineapig-al

guineapig-al

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Piggies, because of their easy-to-hold, compact, furry bodies, cuddly personality and constant vocalizations are the perfect companion animal and therapy pet. People with chronic health problems and mental illness make significant progress or maintain achieved gains when caring for these animals, as these creatures are a constant source of unspoken compassion and companionship. Having to take care of these animals on a daily basis encourages the caretaker to care for him or herself. Chronic conditions like hypertension and anxiety are ameliorated with the daily petting and companionship of piggies. I'd like to hear what your thoughts are on this issue
 
I agree with you. Piggies are wonderful company. After a bad break up resulting in my ex moving out it was just me Amelia Jane and Peronel. They were my reason for getting up in the morning, going to the shop for food. We spent so much time together. I would be up all night upset so they would sit on me and I could talk to them. Peronel was so cuddly and I will never be the same since I lost her.
 
Yes, "Piggyfan". I feel the same way about Sunshine. He was my Peronel. I will never be the same without him.
 
I got my boys at a time when I had been made homeless and had just moved into my house. I didn't want to get up in the morning or do anything. The boys have made sure that I go to the shops to by food for myself and them. Before the pigs arrived I would rarely go food shopping or even out of the house.
My diet has been slightly better since they arrived too. There are vegetables in the house so I eat them, my garden has given me something to do too. They don't judge me when I'm in a lot of pain either. I can speak to them when I'm sore and feeling lonely. They also don't care if I leave the house in a mess!
 
Guinea pigs have really helped me too. Emotional times can be tough but the piggies make it just that little bit easier!
 
My daughter and I have ME and are at home most of the time. We love all our pets, especially our piggies! The cat lives on my daughters bed but piggies are also good for a cuddle when she's stuck in bed.

I love being in the garden with everything! The dog, cat and chickens pottering round and the piggies in the run, keeps me entertained for ages!
 
I agree that pigs would be lovely therapy pets- mine are certainly therapeutic for me! When I got our first pair of pigs for the family for Christmas, they were stationed at my mom's house so as to remain a surprise. My mom was recovering from cranial arteritis and was still in some discomfort, getting adjusted to a large dose of prednisone, etc. She used to take the pigs out in her lap every night and pat them and said how nice it was in her illness to be able to sit quietly with them on her knee (she likes animals, but has no pets of her own anymore.) She still is quite attached to the pigs, especially Linney (the one remaining from the original pair who were boarded at her house during her illness.)
 
Hi everyone. I suffer with severe anxiety and depression as well as some related minor physical health problems. I live with my partner in a bedsit and and I have always loved animals. The main reason we actually got the guinea pigs was sort of like as a therapy pet for myself and that was the main reason my partner agreed to it because whilst he does love animals too and is a proper softie, he couldn't really be bothered with the responsibility. We rescued two boars and they really do help me for definite. As people have said even if I'm so depressed that I want to stay in bed all day and don't want to eat or drink I know i have to get up to at least feed my boys, and then that usually means I'll at least make a cup of tea or get a snack for myself as I'm already up and in the kitchen then! I have to go the shop to buy them veg, I have to clean them out every 5 days because I couldn't bear for them to suffer. I get cuddles from them when I'm feeling particularly stressed out or I get them out and they climb over my feet and legs and cheer me up. It's especially good company for when my partner is out in the evenings or whatever as I used to get really anxious and depressed when left alone and abuse medicine or self-injure but now I have my pigs I don't feel alone anymore. They are really helping me. :)
 
Maddykins said:
Hi everyone. I suffer with severe anxiety and depression as well as some related minor physical health problems. I live with my partner in a bedsit and and I have always loved animals. The main reason we actually got the guinea pigs was sort of like as a therapy pet for myself and that was the main reason my partner agreed to it because whilst he does love animals too and is a proper softie, he couldn't really be bothered with the responsibility. We rescued two boars and they really do help me for definite. As people have said even if I'm so depressed that I want to stay in bed all day and don't want to eat or drink I know i have to get up to at least feed my boys, and then that usually means I'll at least make a cup of tea or get a snack for myself as I'm already up and in the kitchen then! I have to go the shop to buy them veg, I have to clean them out every 5 days because I couldn't bear for them to suffer. I get cuddles from them when I'm feeling particularly stressed out or I get them out and they climb over my feet and legs and cheer me up. It's especially good company for when my partner is out in the evenings or whatever as I used to get really anxious and depressed when left alone and abuse medicine or self-injure but now I have my pigs I don't feel alone anymore. They are really helping me. :)
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I am so happy to hear how your piggies are helping you.
 
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