Stories of Impact, Science & Heart 

At Bunny Gurus (and our sister nonprofit organization, Animal Bonding Center), every visit is more than a moment of joy — it’s a meeting point of compassion, behavioral science, and thoughtful innovation. Below are true, de-identified vignettes that reflect the breadth of our work across schools, clinics, hospitals, senior communities, shelters, and public programs.

Every time we bring our trained therapeutic bunnies into a community, something extraordinary happens — a spark of connection, a moment of calm, and a reminder of our shared humanity.

Our Mission in Action

At Bunny Gurus and Animal Bonding Center, we believe in the healing power of love, empathy, and science — delivered through the gentle presence of our trained therapeutic bunnies.

Autism & Asperger’s: focus, calm, and confidence

For individuals with autism and Asperger’s — from young children to older adults — we design custom setups (for example, elevating the bunnies for easier access) that reduce overwhelm and invite gentle engagement. We’ve seen guests settle their bodies, focus their attention, and build confidence—many eventually holding a bunny comfortably on their own and forming affectionate bonds that families cherish.

Overcoming stigma within the family

A teen living with combined cognitive and physical disabilities had rarely been included in social activities with siblings and peers. We created two adjacent bunny enclosures — one for him, one for his siblings and friends — then gently mixed the groups. What began as parallel play became shared laughter and support. By the end, he stood proudly, holding a trained bunny for over 30 minutes, smiling and speaking joyful words. His parents called it “the happiest day of his life.”

Severe psychosis: a first word in months

At a high school program for students with profound needs, a teenager living with severe schizophrenia (under strong antipsychotic treatment) watched quietly for 40 minutes. Then, suddenly: “Bunnies… I love bunnies!” — her first spoken words in months. With quiet coaching, she entered an enclosure, fed and petted the bunnies, and joined peers with new signs of social engagement. Her mother and therapist wept with relief and joy.

Depression and suicidality: rebuilding hope

We visited a young woman in her early twenties with a significant physical disability who was experiencing severe depression and suicidal thoughts. In a calm, private setting, she held and cuddled the bunnies while we shared uplifting, purpose-focused stories. After repeat visits, her family reported meaningful improvements in mood and hope — and she expressed a new goal: to help care for the bunnies and participate in our research.

Dementia & Alzheimer’s: unlocking long-ago memories

In senior communities — including residents living with advanced dementia and Alzheimer’s — we deliver one-to-one sessions with specially trained bunnies, alongside facility therapists and our researchers. Gentle tactile interaction, scent, and rhythm often trigger remarkable reminiscence: residents recalling farms, animals, and family from 70–80 years ago, sometimes even naming parents and siblings. We tailor sessions to maximize calm, dignity, and cognitive stimulation.

Homeless outreach with GLIDE (San Francisco)

At a GLIDE Foundation event, we served hundreds of unhoused neighbors. One participant — both blind and deaf — received a personalized, tactile session with a translator present. He held a rabbit for the first time in his life and, through touch-based communication, conveyed that it was “the best day of his life.” The response across the room was profound: empathy, relief, and shared humanity.

School tragedies: walking with communities through grief

After a tragic house fire that claimed students and parents, we organized sessions for classmates, teachers, staff, and at the affected schools. Principals and district leadership attended and affirmed how calming and supportive the experience was. In another district, following a beloved student’s sudden death in a car accident, we drove for hours to bring comfort to the entire grade and staff. Alongside the bunnies, we led Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) reflections on resilience, coping, and community care — helping the school take first steps toward healing.

Craniofacial surgery unit: belonging without stigma

At a hospital’s facial surgery/medical research department, we hosted an uplifting gathering for pediatric patients with significant facial and bone differences, their families, and many volunteers. The day became more than therapy; it became true community — a place where children connected with peers, families connected with support, and stigma gave way to acceptance.

Frontline care for clinicians: El Camino Hospital

Inside El Camino Hospital, nurses, PAs, physicians, and surgeons — many facing trauma-intense caseloads — experienced a rare pause. Within minutes, the room softened; staff reported feeling calmer, happier, and re-centered, grateful for an intervention designed with their well-being in mind.

Special education & at-risk programs: changing trajectories

With districts serving special education students and adults finishing high school — including people impacted by violence, gangs, or juvenile custody — we pair structured bunny interaction with behavioral and cognitive techniques. Results we witness repeatedly: less aggression, more empathy, better self-regulation, and renewed purpose.