Mini pot-bellied pigs love on Alzheimer's patients

Christine C. Noel | KUSA

Show Caption Hide Caption Mini pot-bellied pigs love on Alzheimer's patients When we hear of therapy animals, oftentimes, we think of therapy dogs. But meet Boris and Pumba, the one-year-old miniature pot-bellied therapy pigs visiting Alzheimer's patients.

LITTLETON - When we hear of therapy animals, oftentimes, we think of therapy dogs.

But there's a new breed of animal hamming it up in hospitals and nursing homes around Denver. They are miniature pot-bellied pigs.

Every weekend, Pumba and Boris the one-year-old potbellied pigs visit with seniors living with Alzheimer's at Highline Place in Littleton.

Owner Erin Brinkley-Burgardt says while her pigs enjoy the limelight, they like giving attention to those needing a little extra love.

"They go up to anyone holding a carrot," joked Brinkley-Burgardt. "They really love all the attention they get here."

Boris and Pumba make their way around the halls of Highline place in a little green wagon. Brinkley-Burgardt says the residents are always a little shocked when they first arrive, but warm up to the pigs quickly.

"It just takes the first person to warm up—then everyone else is like 'oh ok! I'll try it!'" said Brinkley-Burgardt."The residents won't always remember the pigs—so it's really like a new experience every week—and it's a different experience every week—which is great!"

The residents at the Highline place aren't the only ones who enjoy Pumba and Boris's weekly visits. The staff and families enjoy them as well.

"Animals are pretty magical and it brings out a side of them you don't see in other activities" said Elle Fore, director of Vibrant Living at Highline Place. "And even though we love small children and dogs and other animals—it's the surprise factor of pigs—and one of the gifts with Alzheimer's is—you can use a lot of surprises."

It's that surprise factor that keeps the smiles constant and the sounds of laughter reverberating through the halls of Highline Place week after week.

"Pumba and Boris love coming here too. My grandfather had dementia in the later years of his life so when Elle asked me to come by, I was definitely interested," said Brinkley-Burgardt. "It's been a great experience."

Pumba and Boris are not certified therapy animals, though Brinkley-Burgardt says they are well-behaved and work well with adults. She says she may get her pigs certified so they can make visits to elementary schools and interact with kids in the future.

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