StickerGiant, a custom sticker and label company in Colorado, shares stories from the makers, doers, and community builders who use stickers to create connection. Brutus the Mini Pig is one of those stories—a Certified Therapy Pig whose gentle personality and signature stickers brighten days across Wisconsin.
Who Is Brutus the Mini Pig?
Brutus is an American Mini Pig Association (AMPA) Certified Therapy Pig. His human partner, Jancee Doemel, has adopted and cared for eight rescued mini pigs over the years, each with unique personalities. Brutus, her third adoption, showed an immediate ability to connect with strangers—an essential trait for therapy work.
Today, Brutus brings comfort, laughter, and a bit of piggy mischief to people who need a lift. His visits often include small tricks, props, and a set of custom stickers he hands out to build instant rapport.
Where Does Brutus Do His Therapy Work?
Veterans, seniors, and community members benefit from his visits
Brutus and Jancee travel throughout northwestern Wisconsin to bring joy into environments that can feel heavy or isolating.
Examples of Brutus’s community visits include:
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VA in Tomah, Wisconsin: Brutus walks the campus to help veterans shift their focus from stress to delight.
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Rolling Hills Senior Living Community: During Covid restrictions, he visited outdoors so residents could watch through their windows—offering connection during a profoundly isolating time.
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Memory care units: Brutus often helps trigger memories, giving residents moments of recognition and joy.
What Makes Brutus Such a Great Therapy Pig?
Therapy work requires a calm, receptive animal. Not all pigs are suited to this role, but Brutus naturally excels.
Key traits that support his therapy training
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Gentle temperament
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Ability to stay calm in new environments
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Willingness to interact with unfamiliar people
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Comfort with travel and attention
Jancee enhances this natural talent by developing Brutus’s growing list of tricks, from ring-stacking and mini basketball dunks to playing a small piano keyboard. These activities help break the ice and spark conversation during therapy sessions.
How Brutus Became a Workplace Sensation
Brutus’s first “public appearance” happened by accident. When Jancee brought him to her office as a goodbye surprise for a colleague, the entire workplace—including soldiers in full dress uniform—dropped to their knees to meet him. The reaction confirmed for Jancee that Brutus had the temperament and charm needed for therapy work.
How Brutus Uses Stickers to Build Connection
Brutus always carries his own stickers during public visits. Kids and adults alike love receiving a small, memorable keepsake from their new pig friend. These moments of interaction help reinforce emotional connection—especially in settings where patients may feel overwhelmed or isolated.
What Makes Brutus’s Story Meaningful?
Brutus shows how therapy animals can open communication, reduce anxiety, and create shared moments of joy. His presence encourages curiosity and learning, especially for people who have never interacted with a pig before.
As Jancee says, “You can see the wheels turning in their minds.” Brutus helps people reconnect with memories, humor, and empathy.
And when he’s not working, he spends time with his fellow rescue pigs—affectionately called the “Bacon Brigade.”
Key Takeaways
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Brutus is an AMPA Certified Therapy Pig bringing comfort to veterans, seniors, and community members.
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His human partner, Jancee, has adopted eight mini pigs—all rescues.
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Brutus performs tricks and uses custom stickers to create connection.
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Therapy pigs need calm temperaments, social awareness, and gentle personalities.
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Brutus’s work helps combat isolation, spark memory recall, and brighten everyday moments.
FAQs
What is an AMPA Certified Therapy Pig?
An AMPA Certified Therapy Pig is trained and evaluated for temperament, behavior, and safe interactions in therapeutic settings such as hospitals, senior facilities, and community events.
Why do therapy animals use stickers during visits?
Custom stickers provide a simple, low-pressure way to build connection. For Brutus, giving a sticker is an invitation to interact and creates a lasting memory for patients and visitors.
How do pigs support memory care patients?
Therapy pigs can stimulate sensory recall. Their presence often triggers memories for individuals with dementia or cognitive decline by activating familiar emotions or imagery.
Are mini pigs naturally social animals?
Yes. Mini pigs are intelligent, observant, and social. With proper training and care, some develop traits ideal for therapy work.
Does StickerGiant make stickers for therapy programs?
StickerGiant produces custom stickers and labels for nonprofits, therapy groups, educators, and organizations of all kinds. Many programs use custom shape stickers or Sticker Packs to engage participants and build community.
