Bunny Boy and Me” Author Gives Talk at Felician: Exploring the Inspirations and Stories Behind the Book!

Thirty people turned out at Felician University Thursday, January 23 for a talk by Nancy Laracy, author of the bestselling book Bunny Boy and Me: My Triumph Over Chronic Pain with the Help of the World’s Unluckiest, Luckiest Rabbit.

Nancy Laracy

Laracy, a Franklin Lakes resident, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and a mixed connective tissue disease in her mid-thirties that left her with debilitating pain. She sought comfort by adopting a baby rabbit, Bunny Boy, who developed his own auto immune disease and faced numerous surgeries and procedures.

Laracy captivated those gathered with her compelling story of how she and Bunny Boy would become inseparable companions in pain management.

Felician University Nursing teacher Barbara Duffy of North Haledon who has experience with therapy animals in hospitals was touched by Laracy’s story of just how effective they can be in a home setting saying, “It’s just an amazing life story and amazing appreciation of what animals can do.”

Laracy is a national advocate for the chronic pain community who lobbies for more research and funding in Washington D.C. and established the first Bunnies & Baskets 501(c) (3). Laracy and Bunny Boy became the first certified bunny therapy team on the East Coast. The pair has implemented bunny therapy programs for Cancer Care, Camp Dreamstreet, The Butterflies Hospice Program of Valley Hospital, and for the children of Sandy Hook in Newtown, Ct.

Laracy’s sister Carol Buchalski of Wanaque Borough has accompanied Nancy and her rabbits on several visits including to Sandy Hook and the Cancer Care Center. “It’s very inspiring to watch her sit and talk with the little kids and get them to come out of their shell,” said Buchalski adding,  “Because when you lose a parent, it’s not easy to recover, especially when you are four or five years old. And to see these children hold and talk to the rabbit when Nancy would ask them how they felt about their parents dying is truly amazing.”

Claire Byrne of Westfield says she was blown away by Laracy’s story and how she fights through pain and never hesitates to “get herself up and do all she does whether it’s going to a hospital, a nursing home, or a nursery school, whenever there’s a need, she is there to fill it. She never puts herself first, she’s always thinking of others.”

Bunny Boy is a poignant story that illustrates the power of the animal human bond to heal. All proceeds from her book go to charity.

About Felician University

Felician University engages over 2,300 undergraduate, graduate, and adult students through programs in Arts & Sciences, Business, Nursing, and Education. Universal Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. Felician University’s education is ranked 3rd best return on investment for private colleges in New Jersey 2018 by the PayScale.com College ROI Report and is ranked #1 safest college campus in the state by niche.com.