The CPNP Consumer Relations Committee will be highlighting the volunteer activities of several CPNP members in the coming months to increase awareness of these activities and to provide insight and guidance to other CPNP members that may be interested in getting involved in volunteer activities in the future. This month, CPNP would like to highlight the volunteer efforts of one of our student members, Jessica Foag.
During her time as a student pharmacist at the University of Minnesota, Jessica Foag has merged her love of animals with service to her community. Jessica visits multiple health facilities throughout the Minneapolis area with her two therapy animals, Jelly Bean and Coco Bean. Most likely think of therapy animals as dogs; however, Jelly Bean and Coco Bean are therapy bunnies. Therapy bunnies are the perfect animal for people of all ages. As Jessica stated, “few are afraid of bunnies.” Children may be fearful or hesitant to meet a therapy dog based upon previous experiences, but not a bunny. Actually, encounters with therapy animals may help people overcome fear with animals as therapy animals have no history of biting or aggressiveness. Jessica got her first bunny about four years ago when she began to live on her own. Fast forward those four years and Jessica is now a founding member of the non-profit organization “Bunny Besties.”
The inspiration for Jessica’s service came from her own personal experiences at the University of Minnesota. The university regularly brings therapy animals to campus for the students to meet. One of the animals that Jessica met was a therapy bunny. She soon began work to provide this service to her community. The first step in the process was obtaining proper licensure and training regarding therapy animals. Once Jessica’s bunnies were licensed, she began to take her bunnies to the children’s psychiatric hospital where she was a pharmacy intern. As soon as the children would see Jelly Bean and Coco Bean, they would become happy and relaxed. In addition to the children’s hospital, Jessica also visits memory care units and family homeless shelters with the bunnies. Jessica gets to observe the amazing way Jelly Bean and Coco Bean can brighten someone’s day. Jessica spoke of one women she visits in the memory care unit. She learned that the woman frequently sleeps throughout the day, however, as soon as she sees the bunnies, she begins smiling and laughing.
At the family homeless shelter, Jelly Bean and Coco Bean encourage reading through the “Some Bunny to Read to” program. One child is paired with a bunny and reads a book to the bunny. That child is then able to keep the book. Jessica has been able to share her love of animals with so many in her area. For those CPNP members interested in volunteering, Jessica recommends taking an enjoyed activity or hobby and sharing it with others.