A heartwarming story from Olathe, Kansas, showcases the unexpected but delightful impact of a pet pig on the lives of nursing home residents. Brett Martin, a maintenance worker at the Good Samaritan Society care home, started bringing his pet pig, Odin, to work, brightening the days of many residents and offering comfort and joy.
The idea of bringing a pig to work began one summer, about ten years after Martin’s children surprised him with a pet house pig for his birthday. Though that first pig passed away, Martin’s fondness for the animals remained. He later acquired Odin, a Juliana pig from a licensed breeder. This breed is known for being one of the smallest, making it more suitable as a pet.
At first, the nursing home’s administrator, Fred Pitzl, was hesitant, mainly due to misconceptions about what having a pig around would entail. However, once he saw Odin’s gentle nature, Pitzl agreed to let the pig visit. The residents, many of whom had grown up on farms, instantly warmed to Odin, and he became an instant source of comfort.
Mindy Howell, a 62-year-old resident, shared her delight after feeding Odin some Cap’n Crunch cereal, saying, “I’d never fed a pig before, and I’d never petted one either. But he loved it, and he gave me a good oink.” Martin noted that Odin has become a “stress reliever” for everyone, brightening the day of the nurses and residents alike, especially in the memory care center.
Odin has a typical routine, lounging around the care home, where he uses a litter box and sleeps in Martin’s office. The residents love feeding him snacks like Cheerios and giving him affectionate scratches. Odin also gets along well with the resident cats and a dog that occasionally visits, making him a beloved member of the community.
However, the pampering has made Odin a bit reluctant to leave at the end of the day. Martin often has to trick him into leaving, as Odin will sometimes “go hog wild” and hide when he senses it’s time to go home. The joy that Odin brings to the care home is a testament to the healing power of animals and the unexpected ways they can enrich our lives.