At the age of 20, I was accepted into a vet tech program. I thought my dreams had come true. I was going to work with animals! I was warned the program was going to be stressful, but it was way more than I could handle. I was diagnosed with bipolar and anxiety disorder and have struggled with it most of my life. I had panic attacks constantly. What was worse was I was away from my wonderful animals who I usually relied on for comfort. My school did not allow pets on campus. I found a loop-hole with Emotional Support Animals which I was able to have.
After a few meetings with counselors and advisers from the college, I was allowed to have a cat. Yay!
I went to the shelter to pick out a kitten ASAP. I looked at all the kittens and cats. Nothing fit. Through school I had been working at the shelter and had become familiar with the staff, and one could see how disheartened I was. She told me there was a kitten in the back, who they were having litter training problems with, but I was able to see him. I walked into the isolation room, where I was shown the sweetest kitten I had ever met. He was so happy to see me and I Instantly I knew he was "the one." (After transitioning to a clay litter, he used the litter box.)
He came home during my Thanksgiving break last year. My other cats and dog accepted him immediately with little hissing. He kept me sane during school and even after I was unable to continue on in the program. My panic attacks became less frequent and still can be calmed with a purr and a cuddle. He's my buddy. He wakes me up in the morning and snuggles with me at night. He's a constant that I need in my life. Pippin is a perfect example of a cat rescuing a human not the other way around.
Lowell, MI
