Celebrating Porkchop the Connecticut Therapy Pig on National Pet Tricks Day

Today (Friday), September 30^th, is National Pet Tricks Day which was created in 2021 by Joe Nutkins, a dog trainer, to honor our joy-inducing pets.  Let’s face it; our pets are probably better than most people we know.  They love us unconditionally; they tolerate all our weird habits and are always there to give us a good cuddle when we are down in the dumps.  Pets help us with depression, help lower our blood pressure and they always manage to melt our hearts.

Get our free mobile app

Today we are celebrating National Pet Tricks Day, and I bet you thought you’d be reading about a cute little puppy who dances in a tutu or a cat that does parkour that Spiderman would be envious of when caught on cam while their owners are away at work. When I think of "pet tricks", David Letterman comes to mind, and his super-popular segment "Stupid Pet Tricks." Here are a couple of shots of a pig on the show doing a remarkable thing after eating a mint, yes, a mint...

This pig had his moment of glory, but would you be surprised if I told you that there was a special little piggy named Porkchop who is a superstar therapy pig right here in Connecticut? In an article from the New Haven Register Porkchop’s owner, Jess Moffo, describes Porkchop as a little sweetheart

“Porkchop wags her tail like a happy dog when she sees people, likes to push her snout into the dirt and, although on an ultra-healthy diet, indulges in an occasional cannoli or Carvel ice cream cone.  In her therapy pig role, Porkchop will sit on laps, accept hugs and do a few tricks such as spinning and going through an obstacle course, then a collapsible tunnel.”

Jess Moffo shared fond memories of how her late grandmother with dementia connected so beautifully with Porkchop  “It was the best feeling,” Moffo said. “If she can make a difference in someone’s life it makes me feel complete.”

Porkchop, who lives in Bethany, Connecticut, even has her own Facebook page, they share some amazing connections and hearts she has touched. Thanks for hanging out with me and Happy Pet Tricks Day or whatever, see you guys again real soon.