Niki Vettel: Life-Changing Work with Guinea Pigs
Sometimes it's true that good things come in small packages. That's certainly the case for Niki Vettel and her two registered therapy guinea pigs, Hermie and Calvin. Not only do these two small fluffy companions make a difference for the people they meet as therapy animals, Niki would attest that becoming a volunteer Pet Partners therapy animal handler with guinea pigs also changed her life.
With a master's degree in communications, Niki spent her career as an executive/producer for national public broadcasting programming. In 2011, she became interested in therapy animals, and discovered that a Pet Partners-affiliated group, Tufts Paws for People, was based near her in Massachusetts. She signed up as a volunteer for a therapy animal team evaluation, which was all canine teams. When she confided to Deb Gibbs, the Paws for People program director, that she didn't have a dog but loved guinea pigs, Deb told Niki that Pet Partners also evaluates and registers guinea pigs. Niki was hooked, and acquired a guinea pig named Ralphie. After Niki completed the Pet Partners handler workshop, they passed their first Pet Partners team evaluation with flying colors! This initial volunteer role not only sparked an interest in working with guinea pigs as therapy animals, but it also led her to make a career change.
Niki and Ralphie started volunteering at a forensic psychiatric facility, and then at the inpatient psychiatric unit at Tufts Medical Center in downtown Boston. Ralphie soon became a star attraction in both facilities. Patients who normally didn't attend group sessions showed up when Ralphie was there. Not only was Ralphie changing the lives of patients through this volunteer work, but he also led Niki to decide on a major life change. She completed a second master's degree in counseling psychology, and simultaneously received a certificate from the Animals and Human Health program at the University of Denver. Armed with both, she was hired as an outpatient group therapist for a small psychiatric hospital in Brookline, MA.
Niki began working as a mental health clinician/group therapist with a wide range of adult patients, many dealing with substance abuse. Utilizing animal-assisted therapy with her guinea pigs, Niki has helped countless patients develop trust and responsibility. At the same time, she has experienced the loss of Ralphie and Stuart (her second registered "piggie"), but also the renewed joy of working with Calvin and Hermie. They bring delight to college students in the Boston area during a variety of stress relief events. This duo is expert in boosting students' morale!
A lifelong learner, Niki continues expanding her skills in counseling and animal-assisted therapy. She is close to certification as a grief educator. Already a certified pet loss and bereavement counselor, she will soon begin certification to become a companion animal end of life doula, helping people who go through the significant grief of losing a beloved pet. And she hopes to become an evaluator for Pet Partners, helping to bring more registered therapy animal teams to her community.
"Pet Partners literally changed my life," Niki proudly explained. Through her volunteer role with her guinea pigs, Niki developed a passion for helping people through animal-assisted activities and therapy. With her admiration for Pet Partners, she decided to include the organization in her estate plan. We are appreciative for all Niki and her guinea pigs are doing for others, both now and in the future.
