Thunder and Bolt (born March 2, 2017)[1] are a pair of miniature pigs certified by the American Mini Pig Association as therapy animals[2][3] owned and trained by then 10-year-old Claire Barrow.[4]

Thunder and Bolt made their therapy animal debut at Tampa General Hospital[5][6] when they were 10 months old,[7] where they celebrated their first birthday with patients from adult rehabilitation and children's medical center patients.[8] Thunder and Bolt are the first therapy pigs at the hospital, where Claire is also their first youth volunteer. [3]

The pigs, now 3 years old and approximately 75 lbs, are taken to various local nursing homes and hospitals to perform their therapy duties. They also made an appearance during a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game.[9]

The pigs have their own website and social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and YouTube channel, and have aired on WTSP 10's Great Day Tampa[10] and Q105[11] and featured on People.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Thunder Bolt Pigs". Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Tampa girl trains pigs to bring people happiness". WFTS. 2018-03-16. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  3. 1 2 "Therapy Pigs Thunder and Bolt Are Happy to Trade Belly Scratches and Hugs for Smiles". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  4. ↑ "Thunder and Bolt are therapy pigs with a purpose". FOX 13 Tampa Bay. 2018-02-02. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  5. ↑ "Pigs can be therapy animals too. So can horses and rats and cats and llamas and … (w/video)". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  6. ↑ "Hospital introduces therapy pigs". CBS17.com. 2017-12-16. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  7. ↑ "Therapy Pigs Bring Holiday Cheer, Back Scratchers and a Whole Lot of Cute to Florida Hospital". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  8. ↑ "Therapy pigs Thunder and Bolt celebrate 1st birthday with TGH patients". WFLA. 2018-03-02. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  9. ↑ "Catching up with hockey-loving pigs, Thunder and Bolt". WFLA. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  10. ↑ "Great Day Tampa". 10News WTSP. 2017-10-09.
  11. ↑ "Video: Meet Thunder And Bolt The Therapy Pigs". Q105. 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  12. ↑ "Celebrate National Therapy Animal Day with Llamas, Rats and Other Non-Traditional Therapy Pets". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2021-01-23.


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