Language
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
  • Swedish
Back to Firefly Blog

Emotional Pets

Emotional Pets

Whether it is for diabetes, assistance in predicting seizures, or even mobility, there is no doubt that these therapy dogs can help tremendously.

Of course, with such trained dogs, comes the price to help raise them into what makes them useful.

As far as my research has informed me, these prices can go as high as $15,000 and even higher!  Most families that I have seen usually do fundraisers or donations to help pay this.

Unfortunately my son is three years old, and at the moment he is frightened of dogs and raising such a large amount of money doesn't seem feasible.

But me being the mom that I am and strive to be, I knew I could find him another pet in which he could have for emotional support.

For me, emotional support can mean just having something other than family or human, to love and care for.

This year, we decided to take that step and bought my little Oliver a rabbit. Why a rabbit, you may ask?

We found that Oliver was not scared of small, calm animals like our household cat, and now new, rabbit. He decided to name her Sky High (because he loves Paw Patrol).

When we brought her home, she was just two months of age. A tiny little thing!

Love came easy for him. He bundled her up in a blanket and would just love on her, until I told him it was time to give her a break.

Not only has she been a great pet for him to love on, it has shown his responsibility too.

He is always so excited when I tell him it is time for him to help me feed her, change her bedding, and give her some water for drinking.

With her having a ground level cage, it is easy for him to help me, as my son cannot stand nor walk on his own without assistance.

His little Sky was handled by hand since birth, so we don’t ever have to worry about her nibbling his fingers.

Our little bunny has been a great addition for my son, where a dog has shown to be too much stimulation for him to handle.

For Oliver being such a young age, a bunny is easy to keep up with, and is a little easier for us to afford right now while we introduce things like care and responsibility to him.

Firefly Blog

Real life stories, issues and experiences of day to day life by special needs parents and
healthcare professionals.

Brittney Baumgartner

Meet Our Blogger

Mother to 3 boys, who are getting older by the second. Married to my best friend, Aaron. Living life day by day, in this rambunctious yet blessed household.

View Brittney’s Profile

Become a Firefly Blogger

Would you like to write for Firefly? Join our blogger network of parents, therapists and professionals.

Get In Touch

Become a subscriber today

Join over 40,000 subscribers to our weekly newsletter with insightful articles just when you need them.

Join Mailing List

By using our site you agree to our use of cookies. Click here for more info.

Accept & Close

No Interest if paid in full in 4 months on

Purchases on £99+

UK Customers only. Subject to credit approval. See terms below

Paypal Credit

Pay now or pay over time with PayPal Credit. Just use PayPal Credit in PayPal checkout.

Subject to credit approval.

Purchases of £99+:

No Interest if paid in full in 4 months on purchases of £99 or more.

  • A minimum monthly payment is required and may or may not pay off the promotional purchase by the end of the 4-month period.
  • No interest will be charged on the purchase if you pay it off in full within 4 months. If you do not, interest will be charged on the purchase from the purchase date at the Purchase APR applicable to your account.
  • Any remaining balance due after the 4-month promotional period or any transactions under £99 will be charged interest at 19.9% p.a. (variable).

Purchases of £98.99 or less:

Buy now and pay over time with PayPal Credit when you spend £98.99 or less.

  • If you pay your balance in full each month by the payment due date that is on your statement, you can avoid paying interest.
  • Or, make minimum monthly payments, or any additional amount of your choosing, until you've paid off your balance according to your standard account terms. Please note, interest charges may apply.
  • We'll send you email reminders when your payments are due. You can also keep track of your account and view your statements online at any time.

About PayPal Credit

  • PayPal Credit is a reusable credit line available on purchases at thousands of stores that accept PayPal. It's also available for purchases on eBay and exclusively at thousands of other online stores. Plus, it comes with the same security and flexibility you trust from PayPal.
  • In order to maintain the 0% offer, you need to keep up monthly repayments and stay within your credit limit. Credit subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. UK residents only.

Please wait...