help rudi come home
Share your stories of Rudi.
Share stories of your experiences with Rudi, and share how Rudi made your life better! Color in and tag on facebook or instagram with #rootingforrudi . I’ll print and send these weekly to the city and Department of Health.
Download a coloring sheet and send it to the city! Color it and write how Rudi made your life better!
#rootingforrudi on Facebook and Instagram
We believe that Rudi deserves to be back in his loving home. To express our solidarity, we have prepared adorable coloring sheets of Rudi the Pig. We encourage everyone to get creative, color the sheets, and share their love for Rudi on social media using the hashtag #rootingforrudi.
Click on image for print-ready version.
Post-COVID stress
Now more than ever children and adults face unprecedented stress and anxiety. The impact of climate change and the future, coming out of a pandemic where many people died all add up to a challenging world which hurts our children. A pediatric mental health crisis is the top patient safety concern for 2023, according to a report out in March from healthcare safety organization Emergency Care Research Institute. Rates of depression and anxiety in children have been on the rise since 2017, but the pandemic exacerbated the situation.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00787-022-02060-0
- Stress Reduction: Numerous studies have shown that interacting with animals, especially sensitive and affectionate ones like pigs, can help reduce stress and anxiety. The act of petting a pig, feeling its warmth and gentle demeanor, releases oxytocin (the “feel-good” hormone) in humans, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.
- Emotional Support: Rudi’s empathetic nature allowed him to sense when someone was feeling down or unwell. His mere presence served as a comforting presence, offering emotional support during challenging times.
- Physical Health: Believe it or not, spending time with a pet pig can have positive effects on physical health too. Regular interactions with Rudi could lead to lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and even improved immune system function.
Mental health crisis
According to a recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one out of every three teenagers in America reported that the state of their mental health was poor. Two out of every five teenagers felt persistently sad or hopeless. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people age 15 to 24 in the United States. Nearly 20% of high school students report serious thoughts of suicide and 9% have made an attempt to take their lives.
Rudi Helps.
Pigs heal
Pig owners often choose to share their pig with their community schools and nursing homes. Spreading smiles and laughter with fundraisers and events centered around their pigs.
Pigs have been recognized by families of children with autism to help with vocalization and calming. Pigs have been known to detect low blood sugar in their owners with diabetes or detect and warn of oncoming seizures. They can ease anxiety and panic attacks and improve the symptoms of depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in some individuals.
Rudi helps.
Stress negatively impacts health
Distress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases.
Rudi helps.
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