Fountains at RiverVue welcomes special guests for piglet therapy

Tuckahoe, N.Y. – Life at the Fountains at RiverVue, a Watermark Retirement Community in Tuckahoe, is never boar-ing. Recently, Community Life Director Reghan Giannelli invited two very special guests to visit with the residents – teacup piglets Fire and Ice.

Giannelli coll-a-boar-ated with NY Teacup Piggies to arrange the visit. Her goal was to offer residents an hour of “piglet therapy” to infuse the community with some added comfort and joy – especially at a time when the cold, often dreary, weary months tend to wear on us all.

Gianelli said the residents’ responses were sow priceless: “How cute is she? She just fell asleep in my arms!” one resident exclaimed. Another said, “I may cry,” when one of the piglets was placed on her lap. Others thought the idea of a New York City-based company breeding and caring for piglets was comical. “So, people walk them on a leash? What happened to having a dog?!”

“My job is to think of ways to keep residents on their toes, engaged and having fun,” said Gianelli. “That mission was accomplished when Fire and Ice showed up.”