To say Tina had a rough start to life is an understatement. Before she even entered the world, she lost her entire family.
When a group of men went out hunting, they killed several wild boars, including a pregnant female. Miraculously, Tina was the only piglet to survive, but her troubles were far from over. The men sold Tina for drugs to an individual who practiced Santería—a religion that sometimes includes ritual animal sacrifice.
But when Tina wandered into the neighbor’s yard, her life took a turn for the better. The neighbor, who saw that Tina’s umbilical cord was still attached, called the Broward Sheriff’s Office. At just 2 days old and weighing less than 1 pound, Tina was picked up and taken to the Lucky Horse Sanctuary in Coconut Creek, a therapeutic farm where rescued animals rescue people.
“Her story is nothing short of miraculous,” says Dr. Blair Barone, founder of the Lucky Horse Sanctuary and a licensed clinical psychologist. “We’re so grateful her story didn’t end the way it could have.”
Tina’s arrival at the sanctuary marked the beginning of an entirely new life.
Before permanently relocating to the sanctuary, Tina spent a month living with a friend of Barone’s—a time during which she came to identify more with being a human than a boar. “I have videos of them lying in the sun together, on the recliner. It’s hilarious,” recalls Barone. “She really thinks she’s human.”
Far from the wild, Tina is now house-trained and accustomed to riding in cars. She even has her own wardrobe, complete with dresses and swimsuits. But more importantly, Tina found a new career.
“Tina is the therapist no one saw coming,” says Barone. “The clients are crazy about her. We take her everywhere. And it’s turned out to be amazing.”
At the Lucky Horse Sanctuary, rescued animals help guide individuals suffering from traumatic mental health symptoms and disorders through the journey of recovery, healing, and acceptance.
“Tina is amazing with the clients. Just incredible. We take her to hospitals,” enthuses Barone, who has found deeper meaning in Tina’s connection with those in animal therapy. “People can identify with her. Like the wild boar in the Chinese zodiac, many of our clients embody wisdom gained through experience, resilience through hardship, and the ability to keep moving forward despite life’s challenges. The boar symbolizes strength, perseverance, and ultimately enjoying the rewards of hard work—a beautiful reflection of the healing journeys we witness every day here at the Lucky Horse Sanctuary.”
Next up for Tina is a talk button—a form of animal training that teaches animals to communicate by pressing recordable buttons programmed with words. When the animal presses a button with their paw or nose, it plays a human word, allowing them to express requests, needs, or feelings.
“Pigs are really good with it,” says Barone.
For more information, visit theluckyhorsesanctuary.org.