I may be biased, but rabbits are the best. There is something special about sitting down with a rabbit in your lap and feeling the softness of their fur beneath your hands. Over the years, I’ve seen countless difficult moments eased by a good rabbit snuggle.
This quarter, one of our youth participants has been navigating anxiety, low confidence, and the unique challenges that come with being neurodivergent. They enjoy spending time with all of the animals in our program, but the horses can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, whenever we spend time with the rabbits, a noticeable calm settles over this participant. After one time spent cuddling Snow, they shared, “I am so relaxed working with the bunnies, I could have just fallen asleep.”
Positive interactions with animals have been shown to lower heart rate, reduce stress hormones like cortisol, and help regulate the nervous system. For this participant, Snow creates a space where they can relax, let their guard down, and just be themselves. When life feels challenging, having a place where you feel calm, accepted, and connected can become an anchor and a sanctuary for the participants to look forward to every week-one fuzzy snuggle at a time.
