Life of a Therapy Rat: Fall 2017

It has been a busy couple of months! Let's get down to business and show you what we have been up to!

Berry College Health and Wellness Expo

There really wasn't that many people there this year. When I used to go to Berry, the Wellness Expo was a big deal. Ah well, we had fun! I think the best part was teaching the local martial arts people the difference between a service animal, an emotional support animal, and a therapy animal! (You can learn that here)

Comfy rat burrito

Shorter University De-Stress Event

"My new pal who gives me cheese"

Oliver met lots of new friends at Shorter! I've never been up to Shorter before so this was a new experience for both of us. We didn't have too many people, but we did take lots of selfies!

"A wink for the ladies"

Burrito?

Afterwards, we were invited to a class where the students were doing a presentation on how animals help start conversations. It's quite true! I am actually a very reserved person, but when we get on the subject of rats I completely open up, haha.

"Today I am your teacher and we will be learning about the best cuddling techniques"

too pooped to pop!

Compassionate Paws 10th Birthday

Our therapy group turned 10! We celebrated by having a get together at the park where people could come and learn more about us, eat some snacks, enter for raffle prizes, and pet therapy animals!

Oh my word, this little boy was so good with Oliver!

It was a great turnout!

The burrito that isn't for human consumption

Oliver's auntie Lily came by!

"Candy corms don't taste as good as regular corms"

Getting all the love!

Berry College Academic Support Center Halloween Event

We got to dress up at this event! Well, I got to! I dressed up like a dinosaur and I spiffied up Oliver's basket with a pumpkin basket I found at Party City. It fit perfectly and you can see it being used in the previous event too. Therapy animals aren't allowed to dress up in costumes except for a bandana, but their handler and equipment can be decorated.

You know we love Berry, and we were warmly welcomed. In fact, Oliver's first ever official therapy visit was with the Academic Support Center. 

A cat and a rat! How scandalous! 

This little boy is the cutest ever. He remembered us from last time and he is allowed to call Oliver a mouse as much as he wants (I usually correct people, but dang he is too cute). He was so gentle with Oliver and I was pleasantly surprised. I looked at his mama and said "uhh..I think this boy needs a rat".

"Did you get hurt human? I help"

Snuggle close up!

So yeah, we had a ton of people! Great event and Oliver enjoyed all of it :).

The cutest pumpkin in the patch

-insert Scabbers reference here-

Halloween

So Halloween isn't a therapy event, but we live in such a busy neighborhood that I thought it would be fun to have Oliver out there as well. We signed up to go to the Trunk of Treat event like last year, but I was stuck in bed with a migraine. So we handed out buttons (as well as candy) and the little kids just loved him. Toddlers can be hit (literally) or miss, so you do have to watch out for them, but I think they are his second favorite type of human.

We saw lots of cats, Supermen, Minnie Mice, but we found the 3 blind mice! Had to get a photo. Yay rodents!

So yeah, overall we had a great fall! We missed the NAMI walk this year due to me having a migraine. It's tough, but I am thankful we had some other teams there.

We have de-stressing events coming up at all our local colleges so it will be fun to see some familiar faces!

Did your pet dress up for Halloween this year?

Let us know in the comments below!