November 9th 2024.
Meet Colin, the charismatic and lovable pig who has captured the heart of his owner, Hannah Clarke. But Colin is not just any ordinary pig – he has a special role in Hannah's life as a therapy animal, helping her and others find solace and peace in their busy lives.
Hannah, a successful business owner, was forced to take a break from her work after suffering a serious injury. With a prolapsed disc in her neck, she had to slow down and take it easy for three months. As a psychotherapist, this change of pace was not easy for her, but she cautiously prepared for it.
During this time, Hannah found comfort and companionship in the most unexpected place – her pet pig, Colin. The 55-year-old shares how spending just half an hour with Colin can clear her mind and make her feel relaxed and complete. She considers herself lucky to have a friend like him who reminds her to wind down every night.
Hannah has always had a love for animals, and working with therapy animals seemed like a natural fit for her. She started working with young people who had special educational needs, and later became a qualified psychotherapist. Combining her two passions of helping young people and loving animals, she set up a therapeutic service called Headsight with two colleagues.
As her therapy team grew to include dogs, cats, pygmy goats, geese, chickens, and guinea pigs, Hannah's friend in the USA, Drea, set up an animal sanctuary called One Heart Wild. Hannah would often visit the sanctuary, and it was here that she first encountered the magic of pigs. She was amazed at how well people connected with these misunderstood animals, and she knew a pig would be a great addition to her therapy team.
In May 2018, Hannah bought a micro-pig from a farm in Gloucestershire, and named him Colin. But as he grew, she soon realized that he was not a micro-pig after all. In fact, he was bigger and better than she could have ever imagined. Colin initially lived in Hannah's house with her dogs, but as he grew too big and bossy, he moved to the farm.
Colin quickly became an integral part of Hannah's therapy sessions, helping children who had experienced trauma and struggled with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. His happy and confident nature had a profound effect on the children, and Hannah was proud of her gentle and giant pig.
But as life became busier, Hannah admits she neglected to look after herself. She was constantly on the go, traveling and working all over England. However, Colin's laid-back and relaxed nature started to rub off on her. She realized the importance of slowing down and enjoying quality time in the fresh air, and she credits Colin for helping her reassess her work-life balance.
When Hannah suffered a serious neck injury and had to take three months to recover, Colin was there for her. He would lie by her feet and let her rub his belly, and even had a preference for certain songs (he did not like ABBA!). Colin became Hannah's meditation and moment of peace, reminding her to live in the present and enjoy the simple things in life.
Now fully recovered, Hannah has made changes in her life to prioritize spending time with Colin. She shapes her day around him, as he brings her joy and wellness. Hannah hopes to spread awareness about the benefits of animal therapy, something that science has proven and Colin has shown through his loving and caring nature.
Follow Colin's adventures on Instagram @colinthepig, and remember the importance of taking a moment to stop and smell the flowers, just like Colin does.
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