How a pet pig is helping his owner with her seizures

Hamlet the micro pig has been an Instagram celebrity since she was adopted by a California couple in 2014, garnering hundreds of thousands of followers with adorable pictures and videos.

Hamlet is not just a social media star though as her owner Melanie Gomez explained to Bored Panda.

“Hamlet came to me in a seemingly hopeless situation,” she said. “Daily activities became like climbing Everest to me.”

Gomez was diagnosed with epilepsy in college. It was manageable with only one or two seizures a year but after she married her husband Armando, her seizures became much more frequent. She began having up to ten a day.

“My husband wanted a companion for me, but he is extremely allergic to dogs and cats,” said Gomez. “I showed him a video of a mini pig playing with a dog and he was sold.”

While there are some service animals who are trained specifically to aid people who suffer from seizures most service animal’s, like Hamlet, primary function is to be a companion.

“Hamlet saved me. My epilepsy taught me how frail life can be. Hamlet taught me that life is a beautiful gift despite its frailty.”

Gomez said she was inspired to take up photography when Hamlet entered her life to spread the feel good vibes her pet provides.

“I believe everyone needs a little cute and silly in their daily lives,” said Gomez.