Bunny Besties Stories are Newsworthy!
Bunny Besties has been featured in the Minnesota Live, Fox 9 Good Day, Huffington Post, The Star Tribune, pictured in the Wall Street Journal, WCCO, Kare11, KSTP News Minnesota, Pet Partners Magazine, The Jason Show, Minnetonka Schools District Website, and Lakeshore Weekly just to name a few. Check out our amazing press here by clicking on the button below!
Plymouth Magazine - April 2024
Bunny Besties Spreads Pure Hoppiness
By: Mollee Francisco
Photos: Chris Emeott
Link to article: Bunny Besties Spreads Pure Hoppiness - Plymouth Magazine
Link to magazine: Plymouth Magazine | The best places to dine, shop and explore
By: Mollee Francisco
Photos: Chris Emeott
Link to article: Bunny Besties Spreads Pure Hoppiness - Plymouth Magazine
Link to magazine: Plymouth Magazine | The best places to dine, shop and explore
Nonprofit offers animal visits to promote wellness and reduce stress.
With their ultra-soft fur and adorably twitchy noses, it’s pretty hard to resist the allure of bunnies. Jennifer Smith learned this firsthand when she purchased a rabbit for her children on a whim. “I was passing by a pet shop in Excelsior when I saw [the rabbit],” Smith says. “Piper had a calico face. I took her home on impulse.”
Piper quickly became a part of the family, and Smith just as quickly became amazed at what a bunny could do—so much so that it inspired the next chapter in her life. “I realized how intelligent they are,” she says. “Bunnies are so smart, so trainable. They have the most delightful personalities and quirks.”
Smith started taking Piper to agility classes, and it was there that she was introduced to a companion animal group. Before she knew it, Smith was toting Piper to her first nursing home to visit with residents. That was soon followed by a homeless shelter, where children were encouraged to practice their reading with the rabbit.
“It was such a great way to live in love and kindness,” Smith says of taking the rabbit on visits. It was also a great way to help people who were facing challenges. Smith, who lived in a nursing home for a time while recuperating from an illness, says she knew, “It’s a hard place to be.” She vowed to make it better.
In 2012, Smith officially founded Bunny Besties, a Minnetonka-based, nonprofit dedicated to providing impactful animal-assisted interactions (by way of rescue rabbits) to support emotional wellness. “Our rescued rabbits have a unique ability to lower stress of the humans around them and bring joyfulness to those in challenging life transitions,” Smith says.
The nonprofit has 18 rescue rabbits, which undergo hundreds of hours of training over the course of a year before they interact with the public. Together with a 50-member volunteer crew, Smith has served more than 26,000 people in educational settings, homeless shelters, hospices, libraries and senior living locations throughout the Twin Cities, including Plymouth’s Amira Choice senior living community and Parks’ Place Memory Care. “I see the magic happening with kids and seniors,” Smith says.
Last July, Bunny Besties opened its first location on Highway 7 in Minnetonka. There, Smith hopes to add more therapeutic options, including meditation and journaling in addition to running a store to sell supplies with proceeds benefiting the organization. She also hopes the new space will help them increase the number of volunteers. “The more people, the more we can do,” she says.
For visits, Bunny Besties charges service and transportation fees, which go toward animal care and program operations. “We call it ‘bunnies on a budget,’” Smith says. “We’re all run on volunteers’ blood, sweat and tears.”
Donations are needed, and Smith would love to see them increase, so Bunny Besties can continue to expand its offerings. She says, “We’re at the point where this could get bigger. I’d love to see this get bigger.”
Bunny Besties
15612 Highway 7 Suite 234, Minnetonka
Facebook: Bunny Besties
Instagram: @bunny.besties
With their ultra-soft fur and adorably twitchy noses, it’s pretty hard to resist the allure of bunnies. Jennifer Smith learned this firsthand when she purchased a rabbit for her children on a whim. “I was passing by a pet shop in Excelsior when I saw [the rabbit],” Smith says. “Piper had a calico face. I took her home on impulse.”
Piper quickly became a part of the family, and Smith just as quickly became amazed at what a bunny could do—so much so that it inspired the next chapter in her life. “I realized how intelligent they are,” she says. “Bunnies are so smart, so trainable. They have the most delightful personalities and quirks.”
Smith started taking Piper to agility classes, and it was there that she was introduced to a companion animal group. Before she knew it, Smith was toting Piper to her first nursing home to visit with residents. That was soon followed by a homeless shelter, where children were encouraged to practice their reading with the rabbit.
“It was such a great way to live in love and kindness,” Smith says of taking the rabbit on visits. It was also a great way to help people who were facing challenges. Smith, who lived in a nursing home for a time while recuperating from an illness, says she knew, “It’s a hard place to be.” She vowed to make it better.
In 2012, Smith officially founded Bunny Besties, a Minnetonka-based, nonprofit dedicated to providing impactful animal-assisted interactions (by way of rescue rabbits) to support emotional wellness. “Our rescued rabbits have a unique ability to lower stress of the humans around them and bring joyfulness to those in challenging life transitions,” Smith says.
The nonprofit has 18 rescue rabbits, which undergo hundreds of hours of training over the course of a year before they interact with the public. Together with a 50-member volunteer crew, Smith has served more than 26,000 people in educational settings, homeless shelters, hospices, libraries and senior living locations throughout the Twin Cities, including Plymouth’s Amira Choice senior living community and Parks’ Place Memory Care. “I see the magic happening with kids and seniors,” Smith says.
Last July, Bunny Besties opened its first location on Highway 7 in Minnetonka. There, Smith hopes to add more therapeutic options, including meditation and journaling in addition to running a store to sell supplies with proceeds benefiting the organization. She also hopes the new space will help them increase the number of volunteers. “The more people, the more we can do,” she says.
For visits, Bunny Besties charges service and transportation fees, which go toward animal care and program operations. “We call it ‘bunnies on a budget,’” Smith says. “We’re all run on volunteers’ blood, sweat and tears.”
Donations are needed, and Smith would love to see them increase, so Bunny Besties can continue to expand its offerings. She says, “We’re at the point where this could get bigger. I’d love to see this get bigger.”
Bunny Besties
15612 Highway 7 Suite 234, Minnetonka
Facebook: Bunny Besties
Instagram: @bunny.besties
Lake Minnetonka Magazine - January 2024 Edition
Bunny Besties Spreads Pure Hoppiness
By: Mollee Francisco
Link: Bunny Besties Spreads Pure Hoppiness - Lake Minnetonka Magazine
Link to view magazine: Lake Minnetonka - January 2024 by Local - Issuu
Nonprofit offers animal visits to promote wellness and reduce stress.With their ultra-soft fur and adorably twitchy noses, it’s pretty hard to resist the allure of bunnies. Jennifer Smith learned this firsthand when she purchased a rabbit for her children on a whim. “I was passing by a pet shop in Excelsior when I saw [the rabbit],” Smith says. “Piper had a calico face. I took her home on impulse.”
Piper quickly became a part of the family, and Smith just as quickly became amazed at what a bunny could do—so much so that it inspired the next chapter in her life. “I realized how intelligent they are,” she says. “Bunnies are so smart, so trainable. They have the most delightful personalities and quirks.”
Smith started taking Piper to agility classes, and it was there that she was introduced to a companion animal group. Before she knew it, Smith was toting Piper to her first skilled nursing facility to visit with residents. That was soon followed by a homeless shelter, where children were encouraged to practice their reading with the rabbit.
“It was such a great way to live in love and kindness,” Smith says of taking the rabbit on visits. It was also a great way to help people, who were facing challenges. Smith, who lived in a skilled nursing facility for a time while recuperating an from illness, says she knew, “It’s a hard place to be.” She vowed to make it better.
In 2012, Smith officially founded Bunny Besties, a Minnetonka-based, nonprofit dedicated to providing impactful animal-assisted interactions (by way of rescue rabbits) to support emotional wellness. “Our rescued rabbits have a unique ability to lower stress of the humans around them and bring joyfulness to those in challenging life transitions,” Smith says.
The nonprofit has 18 rescue rabbits, which undergo hundreds of hours of training over the course of a year before they interact with the public. Together with a 50-member volunteer crew, Smith has served more than 26,000 people in educational settings, shelters, hospices, libraries and senior living locations throughout the Twin Cities. “I see the magic happening with kids and seniors,” she says.
Last July, Bunny Besties opened its first location on Highway 7 in Minnetonka. There, Smith hopes to add more therapeutic options, including meditation and journaling in addition to running a store to sell supplies with proceeds benefiting the organization. She also hopes the new space will help them increase the number of volunteers. “The more people, the more we can do,” she says.
For visits, Bunny Besties charges service and transportation fees, which go toward animal care and program operations. “We call it ‘bunnies on a budget,’” Smith says. “We’re all run on volunteers’ blood, sweat and tears.”
Donations are needed, and Smith would love to see them increase, so Bunny Besties can continue to expand its offerings. She says, “We’re at the point where this could get bigger. I’d love to see this get bigger.”
Gentle Visitors
Barb Short, dimensions (memory care) manager at The Orchards of Minnetonka senior living community, has long witnessed the benefits of the animal program for older adults and welcomes Bunny Besties for monthly visits to The Orchards.
How did you get acquainted with Bunny Besties?
I first became acquainted when I started working in this field in 2015. The group came to York Gardens [Senior Living in Edina] when I was working as an activity assistant there. I loved the idea of a pet therapy group that had rabbits instead of the typical pets. Residents loved them. Short later brought the nonprofit to Crestview [Senior Living in Columbia Heights], where she worked, and then to The Orchards of Minnetonka.
Why did you think residents would benefit from the program?
… [The rabbits] usually don’t produce allergies … and give residents a chance to have a warm living thing on their laps that they can pet … talk to, sing to, etc. … Bunny Besties also has bunnies [that] are great at agility: climbing, running, jumping, etc. The agility course is very entertaining, and the bunnies, [that] are gifted with agility and trained, can really kick up their heels and go. As much of the research shows, the tactile nature of petting is very beneficial but so is the connection to another living thing, as well as [encouraging] the remembrance of having a pet or working with a farm animal. The responsibility and pleasant experience of it stimulates a reminiscing moment in time for residents, which lowers anxiety.
How do residents respond to the visits?
[Residents] are so calm and relaxed when we are finished with the rabbits in the late afternoon. They go to supper with lingering smiles and a quiet, relaxed demeanor. We have family members, who come each month just to see the bunnies themselves and see their loved ones talking to the bunnies … We usually have other staff, who come into memory care to see the bunnies and get a pet in or two while they are here … It’s like a bunny kum ba yah.
“Jennifer is very genuine and cares deeply about this mission. She loves her rabbits and sincerely wants to make a difference in the lives of people, who interact with the bunnies. She is knowledgeable and sensitive to both the rabbits and people.”—Barb Short, The Orchards of Minnetonka
Bunny Besties
15612 Highway 7 Suite 234, Minnetonka
Facebook: Bunny Besties
Instagram: @bunny.besties
By: Mollee Francisco
Link: Bunny Besties Spreads Pure Hoppiness - Lake Minnetonka Magazine
Link to view magazine: Lake Minnetonka - January 2024 by Local - Issuu
Nonprofit offers animal visits to promote wellness and reduce stress.With their ultra-soft fur and adorably twitchy noses, it’s pretty hard to resist the allure of bunnies. Jennifer Smith learned this firsthand when she purchased a rabbit for her children on a whim. “I was passing by a pet shop in Excelsior when I saw [the rabbit],” Smith says. “Piper had a calico face. I took her home on impulse.”
Piper quickly became a part of the family, and Smith just as quickly became amazed at what a bunny could do—so much so that it inspired the next chapter in her life. “I realized how intelligent they are,” she says. “Bunnies are so smart, so trainable. They have the most delightful personalities and quirks.”
Smith started taking Piper to agility classes, and it was there that she was introduced to a companion animal group. Before she knew it, Smith was toting Piper to her first skilled nursing facility to visit with residents. That was soon followed by a homeless shelter, where children were encouraged to practice their reading with the rabbit.
“It was such a great way to live in love and kindness,” Smith says of taking the rabbit on visits. It was also a great way to help people, who were facing challenges. Smith, who lived in a skilled nursing facility for a time while recuperating an from illness, says she knew, “It’s a hard place to be.” She vowed to make it better.
In 2012, Smith officially founded Bunny Besties, a Minnetonka-based, nonprofit dedicated to providing impactful animal-assisted interactions (by way of rescue rabbits) to support emotional wellness. “Our rescued rabbits have a unique ability to lower stress of the humans around them and bring joyfulness to those in challenging life transitions,” Smith says.
The nonprofit has 18 rescue rabbits, which undergo hundreds of hours of training over the course of a year before they interact with the public. Together with a 50-member volunteer crew, Smith has served more than 26,000 people in educational settings, shelters, hospices, libraries and senior living locations throughout the Twin Cities. “I see the magic happening with kids and seniors,” she says.
Last July, Bunny Besties opened its first location on Highway 7 in Minnetonka. There, Smith hopes to add more therapeutic options, including meditation and journaling in addition to running a store to sell supplies with proceeds benefiting the organization. She also hopes the new space will help them increase the number of volunteers. “The more people, the more we can do,” she says.
For visits, Bunny Besties charges service and transportation fees, which go toward animal care and program operations. “We call it ‘bunnies on a budget,’” Smith says. “We’re all run on volunteers’ blood, sweat and tears.”
Donations are needed, and Smith would love to see them increase, so Bunny Besties can continue to expand its offerings. She says, “We’re at the point where this could get bigger. I’d love to see this get bigger.”
Gentle Visitors
Barb Short, dimensions (memory care) manager at The Orchards of Minnetonka senior living community, has long witnessed the benefits of the animal program for older adults and welcomes Bunny Besties for monthly visits to The Orchards.
How did you get acquainted with Bunny Besties?
I first became acquainted when I started working in this field in 2015. The group came to York Gardens [Senior Living in Edina] when I was working as an activity assistant there. I loved the idea of a pet therapy group that had rabbits instead of the typical pets. Residents loved them. Short later brought the nonprofit to Crestview [Senior Living in Columbia Heights], where she worked, and then to The Orchards of Minnetonka.
Why did you think residents would benefit from the program?
… [The rabbits] usually don’t produce allergies … and give residents a chance to have a warm living thing on their laps that they can pet … talk to, sing to, etc. … Bunny Besties also has bunnies [that] are great at agility: climbing, running, jumping, etc. The agility course is very entertaining, and the bunnies, [that] are gifted with agility and trained, can really kick up their heels and go. As much of the research shows, the tactile nature of petting is very beneficial but so is the connection to another living thing, as well as [encouraging] the remembrance of having a pet or working with a farm animal. The responsibility and pleasant experience of it stimulates a reminiscing moment in time for residents, which lowers anxiety.
How do residents respond to the visits?
[Residents] are so calm and relaxed when we are finished with the rabbits in the late afternoon. They go to supper with lingering smiles and a quiet, relaxed demeanor. We have family members, who come each month just to see the bunnies themselves and see their loved ones talking to the bunnies … We usually have other staff, who come into memory care to see the bunnies and get a pet in or two while they are here … It’s like a bunny kum ba yah.
“Jennifer is very genuine and cares deeply about this mission. She loves her rabbits and sincerely wants to make a difference in the lives of people, who interact with the bunnies. She is knowledgeable and sensitive to both the rabbits and people.”—Barb Short, The Orchards of Minnetonka
Bunny Besties
15612 Highway 7 Suite 234, Minnetonka
Facebook: Bunny Besties
Instagram: @bunny.besties
Woodbury Magazine - January 2024 Edition
How Bunny Besties Spreads Joy
By: Mollee Francisco
Photos By: Chris Meott
Link to Article: (How Bunny Besties Spreads Joy - Woodbury Magazine)
Link to Magazine: Woodbury - January 2024 by Local - Issuu
By: Mollee Francisco
Photos By: Chris Meott
Link to Article: (How Bunny Besties Spreads Joy - Woodbury Magazine)
Link to Magazine: Woodbury - January 2024 by Local - Issuu
Nonprofit offers animal visits to promote wellness and reduce stress. With their ultra-soft fur and adorably twitchy noses, it’s pretty hard to resist the allure of bunnies. Jennifer Smith learned this firsthand when she purchased a rabbit for her children on a whim. “I was passing by a pet shop in Excelsior when I saw [the rabbit],” Smith says. “Piper had a calico face. I took her home on impulse.”
Piper quickly became a part of the family, and Smith just as quickly became amazed at what a bunny could do—so much so that it inspired the next chapter in her life. “I realized how intelligent they are,” she says. “Bunnies are so smart, so trainable. They have the most delightful personalities and quirks.” (Follow link to read article.
Piper quickly became a part of the family, and Smith just as quickly became amazed at what a bunny could do—so much so that it inspired the next chapter in her life. “I realized how intelligent they are,” she says. “Bunnies are so smart, so trainable. They have the most delightful personalities and quirks.” (Follow link to read article.
Fox 9 News - August 9, 2023
Coverage from the St. Louis Park Reading Festival where Bunny Besties partnered with Groves Learning Academy. Reading to the Rabbits was a big hit!
WCCO CBS Channel 4 - August 9, 2023
The Bunny Besties cuddle up with kids at the Saint Louis Park Reading Festival with Groves Learning Organization to bring relaxation, reading and rabbits.
WCCO CBS Channel 4 - August 7, 2023
Bunny Besties is partnering with Groves Learning Organization. Meet Groves Principle, Dr. Kim Peoples and Jennifer Smith of Bunny Besties. Bunny Besties and Books is coming to the Saint Louis Park Reading Festival.
Fox 9 Good Day Morning Show - April 2023
We were thrilled to be invited by Fox 9 to be on their Good Day Morning Show. We talked about how we work to train our bunnies and how we give back to our community through Bunny Besties.
Minnesota Live Interview March 2023
We were honored to be invited to be on Minnesota Live to be honored for posting positive on our Facebook page. We were also able to talk about Bunny Besties and share the story of our little nonprofit.
Visit the Minnesota Veterans Home - December 2022
The Bunny Besties Young Leaders along with the Bunny Besties Ambassador Rabbit hopped on over to the Minnesota Veterans Home for a Holiday Grand Event. It was a wonderful day of volunteering for the Veterans of Minnesota.
Visiting Orchards of Minnetonka - Fox 9 News
Our Bunny Besties Young Leaders made handmade holiday cards for the residents of the memory care unit at Orchards of Minnetonka. They attached them to donated stuffed bunnies and brought them as holiday gifts for those living in the memory care. We visit Orchards of Minnetonka monthly and care about our senior friends.
Bunny Besties Castle and Cuddles - Star Tribune
We brought our Castle and Cuddles to Meet Minneapolis. It was wonderful. See for yourself!
Accomplish with Kylie introduces Bunny Besties
We loved our Reading to the Rabbits program at People Serving People Homeless Shelter. At holiday time we would do a special event for the children facing homelessness. It was a huge hit!
UMN PAWS with Bunny Meditation - Kare 11
Bunny Meditation was front and center at the big destress event at the University of Minnesota PAWS program. We have eight years of volunteering with UMN PAWS and could not be prouder.
Bunny Besties Bring Newsroom to a Halt - Kare 11 News
Bunny Besties Ambassador Rabbits came to the Kare 11 newsroom to help the anchors destress and learn about bunny love!
Pet therapy program for college students moves online - KSTP channel 5
Alex Jokich Updated: April 20, 2020 08:34 PM Created: April 20, 2020 06:51 PM A pet therapy program at the University of Minnesota has now gone virtual. PAWS, which stands for Pet Away Worry And Stress, is an extremely popular program offered through Boynton Health at the University of Minnesota. It is typically offered four times per week on campus and features about 100 different registered therapy animals, ranging from dogs and cats to chickens and miniature horses. Since the university is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has adapted and is now being held through online Zoom sessions. "More than ever, mental health is a concern," said Kevin Bubolz, who participates with his therapy dog Ellie, a golden retriever. "A lot of people are going through a lot of different challenges and really need these animal assisted interactions to help bring back a sense of normalcy in this time of uncertainty." KSTP In the virtual sessions, students can move between different "rooms" to visit the animals of their choice and interact with the handlers and other students. The groups bond over the animals but eventually open up about how they are feeling, covering topics like fears over coronavirus, the challenges of online learning and uncertainty over the job market following graduation. Follow KSTP's complete COVID-19 coverage "As soon as a student is brave enough to say, 'I'm really struggling,' other students step forward and say, ‘I am too,’" explained Animal Assisted Interactions Coordinator Tanya Bailey, who started the program seven years ago. Bailey said, while in person sessions are preferable, the digital interactions are still effective because of a concept called "mirror neurons." "What that means is that when you are observing somebody else do something that's a pattern your brain recognizes, you oftentimes will feel the same feeling. So just the sheer act of the owner of that animal petting the animal, the student observing that, their brain recognizes that pattern and it brings peace," Bailey explained. "A lot of times it brings joy and happiness and they laugh as well." "You leave out of there feeling so euphoric and so happy, it really does carry on into the rest of your day and for me personally into the rest of my week," added student Mariah Flores. The PAWS sessions are free for anyone in the University of Minnesota community. For more information, click here. Click the video box above to see the full story. Copyright 2020 - KSTP-TV, LLC A Hubbard Broadcasting Company |
Minnetonka high school, Stress Less with Bunny Besties, 1/21/2020
Bunny Besties Event Helps Alleviate Stress
FEBRUARY 14, 2020
Winter is a busy time of year at Minnetonka High School. Between final exams, end of the semester projects, and preparing for registration next year, stress can sometimes run high. Student leaders at MHS have been working on ways to alleviate some of the tension and encourage students to practice mindfulness. One idea they were able to implement was to set aside an area of the school where students could take a break from homework and finals and instead enjoy playing with a group of therapy rabbits.
"Finals are of course important but they sometimes end up bubbling into a bigger deal than necessary," says Laura Hebst, Advanced Learning Coordinator at the high school. "Starting the day in a calm and positive manner like this helps students gain some perspective and hopefully walk into final exams calmer and more able to see the bigger picture."
MHS partnered with a local organization called Bunny Besties, which is run through the University of Minnesota. This nonprofit aims to support the mental and emotional health of the community through Animal Assisted Interactions. Representatives from the company, along with a dozen trained bunnies, visited the high school on Thursday, January 23, during the study block allotted for students prior to finals. Over the course of the two-hour period, more than 540 students showed up to catch a break and recharge before heading off to their finals.
Priscilla Bunday is a student leader for Bunny Besties at MHS. Along with fellow juniors Linden Rude and Mara Sandberg, she worked hard to plan and organize the event for other students to enjoy. A dedicated student herself, Priscilla has experienced first-hand the extra pressures added at the end of the semester. She loved watching the students' stress melt away as they walked in the door and saw all of the rabbits. "Getting a chance to take a mental break and just do something fun, like watch bunnies run and jump across the floor, can be really important."
The positive physical, mental and emotional effects of practicing mindfulness are invaluable. When left alone, stress can build up and lead to more severe mental health issues, negatively impacting the lives of thousands of high school and college students, as well as those of the general population. However, healthy stress management is still possible even in our busy world if we set aside time for self-care and personal enjoyment. One of the best ways to do this is through building connections with both people and animals.
"I have witnessed the tremendous value of unique and creative programming that supplements traditional responses to this current [mental health] crisis...Bunny Besties is a perfect example of harnessing the powerful experience of the human-animal bond to help students and others in the community." Gary Christenson, the current chair for Bunny Besties, says on the company's website. "Our rescued rabbits have a unique ability to lower stress of the humans around them and bring joyfulness to those in challenging life [situations]."
"It's extremely easy to get caught up in your stress and forget that you need to take time to step back, take a deep breath and focus on taking care of yourself," concludes Priscialla "I think it is good to develop habits early on, not only to protect our mental and physical health now, but also so that when we are in even more pressing situations in the future, we don't burn out and crash as a result of not taking care of ourselves."
Source: Minnetonka Schools District Website https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/high-school/mhs/about/news/~post/bunny-besties-event-helps-alleviate-stress-20200210
FEBRUARY 14, 2020
Winter is a busy time of year at Minnetonka High School. Between final exams, end of the semester projects, and preparing for registration next year, stress can sometimes run high. Student leaders at MHS have been working on ways to alleviate some of the tension and encourage students to practice mindfulness. One idea they were able to implement was to set aside an area of the school where students could take a break from homework and finals and instead enjoy playing with a group of therapy rabbits.
"Finals are of course important but they sometimes end up bubbling into a bigger deal than necessary," says Laura Hebst, Advanced Learning Coordinator at the high school. "Starting the day in a calm and positive manner like this helps students gain some perspective and hopefully walk into final exams calmer and more able to see the bigger picture."
MHS partnered with a local organization called Bunny Besties, which is run through the University of Minnesota. This nonprofit aims to support the mental and emotional health of the community through Animal Assisted Interactions. Representatives from the company, along with a dozen trained bunnies, visited the high school on Thursday, January 23, during the study block allotted for students prior to finals. Over the course of the two-hour period, more than 540 students showed up to catch a break and recharge before heading off to their finals.
Priscilla Bunday is a student leader for Bunny Besties at MHS. Along with fellow juniors Linden Rude and Mara Sandberg, she worked hard to plan and organize the event for other students to enjoy. A dedicated student herself, Priscilla has experienced first-hand the extra pressures added at the end of the semester. She loved watching the students' stress melt away as they walked in the door and saw all of the rabbits. "Getting a chance to take a mental break and just do something fun, like watch bunnies run and jump across the floor, can be really important."
The positive physical, mental and emotional effects of practicing mindfulness are invaluable. When left alone, stress can build up and lead to more severe mental health issues, negatively impacting the lives of thousands of high school and college students, as well as those of the general population. However, healthy stress management is still possible even in our busy world if we set aside time for self-care and personal enjoyment. One of the best ways to do this is through building connections with both people and animals.
"I have witnessed the tremendous value of unique and creative programming that supplements traditional responses to this current [mental health] crisis...Bunny Besties is a perfect example of harnessing the powerful experience of the human-animal bond to help students and others in the community." Gary Christenson, the current chair for Bunny Besties, says on the company's website. "Our rescued rabbits have a unique ability to lower stress of the humans around them and bring joyfulness to those in challenging life [situations]."
"It's extremely easy to get caught up in your stress and forget that you need to take time to step back, take a deep breath and focus on taking care of yourself," concludes Priscialla "I think it is good to develop habits early on, not only to protect our mental and physical health now, but also so that when we are in even more pressing situations in the future, we don't burn out and crash as a result of not taking care of ourselves."
Source: Minnetonka Schools District Website https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/schools/high-school/mhs/about/news/~post/bunny-besties-event-helps-alleviate-stress-20200210
Minnetonka High School - Lakeshore Weekly
MINNETONKA — Students looking for a way to de-stress found a fluffy solution at Minnetonka High School on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The student-led effort was spearheaded out of the Students Wellness Committee, which brought rabbits in from the company Bunny Besties, a nonprofit that provides animal-assisted interactions with rabbits to support the emotional wellness of the community.
The goal was for students to have some animal therapy during finals week, which ran from Monday, Jan. 20, through Friday, Jan. 24.
More than 500 students stopped by in between classes to pet the fluffy animals, said Minnetonka Schools Executive Director of Communications JacQueline Getty.
The relationship between animals and humans can have a positive psychological benefit for humans, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Therapy animals can help relieve stress, anxiety and depression, the association says.
By Frances Stevenson. Frances Stevenson is a reporter for the Lakeshore Weekly News, covering the communities around Lake Minnetonka.
Source: https://www.swnewsmedia.com/lakeshore_weekly/news/education/minnetonka-high-school-brings-in-bunnies-to-relieve-stress-during/article_98ecf904-6f7b-5fe0-b20c-9003fe0f7e61.html
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Kare 11 News: An Unusual Way to De-Stress at UMN
http://www.kare11.com/life/u-of-m-students-pet-ahttp://www.kare11.com/life/u-of-m-students-pet-away-worry-stress/343296966way-worry-stress/343296966