A Navy veteran, her service dog, and her therapy pig…

 

...didn’t walk into a bar, but they are a familiar sight walking the streets of Queens, New York.

After Nadeen Darsanlal got out of the Navy she found herself in a great deal of pain. Although she had Harvey, her service dog, after a while she thought he needed a companion.

Perhaps wanting a challenge, she added Wilbur the pig to her pack. Wilbur has been a handful. Although he isn’t messy or smelly like people think of pigs, “Pigs are very stubborn. Hard-headed,” she said.

 

Exercise is good for Darsanlal and Wilbur is a motivator for her to take walks to get her mind off her pain. Wilbur follows Darsanlas and Harvey down the street without a leash and has even learned to stop for traffic.

And I’m sure they also stop traffic.

What she would like is for Wilbur to become a therapy animal to help others, but there is a problem. Pigs are illegal in New York City.

 

She is determined to go through anything to get him certified. For now she is taking him around to various schools where the kids and teachers love him.

“I learn new things from him each day,” she said. Source

I’m guessing that getting Wilbur certified as a therapy dog/pig will be one of life’s big challenges for her.

Comments

[geogia little pea]

Pigs are illegal in NYC? But why?

A pig taking a walk in a winter coat :) If I met Wilbur (of course) on the street, it'd make my day.

[Southern quebec]

Getting the pig certified will be a big problem. therapy Dogs international recently changed the test. It is so much harder now. Luckily, there is a grandfather clause and we don't have to retake the test. :)

[yellowdoggranny]

hope she wins that...pigs are smarter than dogs.

[Maude]

Those small pigs are so adorable, and I have heard that they have the same intelligence level as a young child.

[Linda]

I'm passing this link on to a friend of mine who is raising therapy pigs!!!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

[Donna]

Ha Ha! How cool is that? A therapy pig! Love it.

[Nadine]

Thanks to all our supporters out there. There is a mistake in this article. I never said that Wilbur is a handful. He is actually the opposite. That's why I got a pig. Pigs in general can be stubborn as we all can be being their so human like. It always takes a responsible pet owner for any animal so Wilbur has always known I'm in charge & he gets more with good behavior. As babies, pigs can test u out but as long as one is consistent, then they know who's in charge.