Animals and People Need Each Other
By Eileen Wanamaker
Volunteering with Pig Placement Network rescuing and placing potbellied pigs, as well as educating and being a support system to people interested in sharing their lives with potbellied pigs, has been extremely rewarding.. There is one very special pair of pigs that continue to awe me, when I hear of their special mission in life.
Through an exciting, creative-expressive Animal-Assisted therapy program, pioneered by Kathryn Gress, many young lives have been touched in the form of “the healing power of animals.”
Ben and Kathryn Gress, owners of The Gress Mountain Ranch knew their program was not complete, even though many wonderful therapy animals, including Great Pyrenees dogs, cats, a rabbit, horses, donkeys, goats and more live at their ranch. They contacted Susan Armstrong at Ross Mill Farm who cares for many potbellied pigs in foster care, with an interest in pigs.
Susan matched The Gress’s with two very special pigs. LeRoy and Pearl Piggy. Pearl came from VA, her mother was rescued by some very special people in VA, who also do Animal-Assisted Therapy. They had no idea that Miss Pearl would go on to fulfill their mission. LeRoy came from a California University, where he was a “mascot” piggy, monitoring a men’s dorm. These two pigs have much to tell of their own stories. Their lives have dramatically changed as they have “hooves on experience” working with troubled youth and depressed adults.
The staff and counselors report the animals help breakdown communication barriers and create an environment “safe and free from the judgment of others”. This type of therapy allows the children to open up and express themselves with the therapist. “I have enjoyed watching the smiles on my students’ faces as they interact with the animals” reports Miss Connie. Many of the students in the classroom do not have pets at home, and this type of therapy gives them the opportunity to build a relationship with an animal, while learning to be responsible. A licensed psychologist, Mr. Tom states “It is amazing to see how engaged and attentive the children are when they are walking the dog. The change in their mood and behavior is dramatic. They are definitely calmer and more focused.”
Many of the students relate to the animals as role models. These special therapy animals share with the children, their ability to stay on task, follow directions, and relate to the lives of children. Rocky the dog “needs a focus pill” reports one of the students “just like I take” is just one of the life experiences in relationship to the students. Muchka, a cat with Alzheimer’s, is still able to nurture the students with her gentle cat ways. Cotton, and overweight rabbit reminds the students to watch their own diet and exercise often. As their therapist, Kathryn brings things up close and personal and in the “here and now” which strengthens the students’ resilience.
Many children and adults alike stop to see the “piggy therapists” every time they come to school. Pearl and LeRoy piggy keep everything confidential. Pearl can give a person the “attitude” and throw in some pig stubbornness. Pearl is a character and the students can relate to her. One student said “Pearl really gave me a big attitude and I didn’t like it. Now I know how my teacher feels when I give her the “big attitude”. LeRoy, on the other hand is very loving and loves to give people kisses, but he too can be a constant complainer if he doesn’t get his own way. The kids enjoy the pigs and love to pose with them. These pigs teach them life lessons each day. Ashley a 16 year old student, told me, “Ms. Kathryn, walking a pig is harder than it looks, especially when they don’t want to follow directions.” They learn to develop patience and learn coping strategies to deal with the “piggy frustrations” and learn to communicate to the animals, then to other people. “I love working with the animals, especially LeRoy piggy” says Ashley.
The students are first talking with the therapy animals, and then the animals help bridge conversation to the therapist, the teacher and each other. Kathryn’s motto “Animals and People need each other” Kathryn has even started a reading program “Reading is fundamental” where student read to the animals to enhance their reading and learning abilities.
Kathryn shared “These pigs have been a tremendous joy and I am honored to have them in my counseling practice. Pearl and LeRoy “get to the heart of matters” in their own piggy way, through animal assisted therapy. This creative, expressive therapy, allows people to have “hands on learning”, communicate to a therapist and engage in a human-animal bond relationship, that’s a “win-win benefit for both people and animals. My program of “Animals Helping People and People Helping Animals” is one that time and time again gives so many satisfying rewards, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually to all.
I understand that every living creature has a purpose. After hearing the following testimony and many others that Kathryn shared, I have no doubt that LeRoy and Pearl have found there’s. Tasha wrote “Sometimes I just feel mad and have a bad day, but when I see LeRoy and Pearl piggy, all my troubles run away”.
Kathryn hopes to continue growth and development of this special treatment modality. Many individual sessions are requested to help reach hard to connect students.
Kathryn is a Psychiatric Nurse, Physychotherapist and Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialist. She provides group therapy, family and individual therapy. She works with KidsPeace Berks Treatment Center as well as seeing clients at The Gress Mountain Ranch. For further information, you can contact Kathryn at 610-398-2122 or e-mail her at kgress@entermail.net.
For further information on having a potbellied pig as a pet you can learn more from Pig Placement Network at www.pigplacementnetwork.com and also Ross Mill Farm www.rossmillfarm.com
Please click photos below to view full size images & info about the animals and people featured.