Animals are amazing therapy. From cats that live in care homes to donkeys that visit hospitals it seems that any animal can help towards maintaining a happy existence. Through my own experience I have found animals, of all shapes and sizes, help me to stay calm and focused in situations I find difficult.
I've told you before that didn't tell anyone about my abuse until long after the event but this isn't strictly true. About a week after it happened I confided in the only family member who I knew couldn't tell anyone else. Dizzy, our families dog, sat patiently on my lap as I recounted my tale. She didn't ask questions, or offer any advice but part of me gained comfort knowing I'd said it aloud.
Fast forward to the present day, I now live with my partner, Lawrence, and Schel (Our house mate). When I was first diagnosed with Tourette's my partner and I discussed me having a therapy dog to help with work and everyday life. We concluded that a dog would probably cause more stress for me as I have a tendancy to worry, instead of helping me a dog might actually isolate me as I would be hyper aware of its comfort and constantly worried that it was unhappy. So that idea went out the window.
It was a few weeks ago that I met Brad. He stopped me on the way to my favourite fish and chip shop to tell me that my tics had brightened his day, que automatic friendship! I bumped into him a few more times and he turned out to be our house mates boss\friend. I visited his house about a week ago and we got to chatting about the guinea pigs he had for sale in his garden. I must admit, I fell a little bit in love! I told Lawrence about it and after okaying it with Schel we all went to get me a guinea pig!
Well, we left with 2 guinea pigs, Schel fell in love with a guinea pig she named Marvin and Lawrence and I fell in love with Quentin.
Quentin was named after Quentin Blake, my favourite illustrator. But if you ask Lawrence, he was named after Quentin Tarantino. He is a shy intellectual (if Guinea pigs can be shy intellectuals) who likes lettuce and tunnels.
Quentin wasn't intentionally a therapy animal but since getting him he's hardly left my side (much to Lawrence's frustration as he wishes to be the favourite human!!) And I must say, it's helped. My levels of anxiety have decreased and I find that I don't feel like I need to tic when I hold him. Making sure that he has enough food and water has helped me to find a purpose on the days when all tasks other than maintain his comfort have felt futile. Honestly this small fluffy creature has done more for my Tourette's than any of the past medication or therapies. I feel content.
So here's to Quentin, the Queball, Tarantino, Mr Blake. I doubt that you have any idea who these giants are, who pet you and feed you, or why the one that picks you up a lot makes funny noises. As you sit in my pocket now I know you will never read this (after all you can't read!) But Quentin, you are the best thing we ever impulse bought!
