Meet Calypso! Calypso is a 4-year-old rescue rabbit who belongs to junior music education major Bri Hastings. Hastings got Calypso in May of 2023 as an emotional support animal. Although Hastings’ family has owned dogs before, Calypso is her first pet and responsibility.
Hastings knew that she was going to be a resident assistant (RA) and realized that she didn’t want to be alone all the time. She adopted Calypso as an emotional support animal to bring comfort. Not only is Calypso a new friend in Hastings’ life but also a big responsibility.
“Calypso makes it easier to wake up in the morning because I’m like ‘I have to feed her,’” Hastings said. “And it’s not like a responsibility that only affects me, it now affects another living being.”
Calypso isn’t trained like a service animal. Nonetheless, Calypso has been an amazing addition to Hastings’ life and emotional well-being.
Calypso is very emotionally intelligent, Hastings said. She can tell when Hastings is upset and will voluntarily sit in her lap. Although Calypso can be emotionally intuitive, she can be in Hastings words, a “menace” who tries to eat the carpet. Hastings made it apparent that Calypso has personality. She can be a loving rabbit who knows how people feel but can also be bratty and spiteful. I guess you could say that Calypso is Jykell and Hyde 2.0!
Calypso has made a big name for herself in Ober Hall where Hastings is an RA.
“People definitely love Calypso.,” Hastings said. “It’s just because you don’t really think rabbit when you think pets. A lot of people have never been close to a rabbit or touched a rabbit. So, they’re like it’s so soft, because all rabbits feel like that, all rabbits are that soft, which is so funny.”
Calypso also gives Hastings a good laugh.
“I’m mainly on a female floor, so I love when guys go to walk by my door, and I have the door open, and they see Calypso, and they start freaking out,” Hastings said. “It’s like the funniest thing ever when they’re trying to look all tough for the girls they’re trying to impress on my floor.”
Calypso certainly brings out the soft spots in everyone!
One of the many fun facts about Calypso is that her favorite food is fresh basil.
“If she pretends to hate you, you can just give her basil, she’s all over you,” Hastings said.
However, Calypso will eat anything. Literally anything. She is totally a food connoisseur! After a crinkle of any kind of food bag, she will be at her cage pawing at the bars or running over to Hastings begging for whatever she is eating.
Calypso is not only a food lover but also loves Chappell Roan. Hastings said that on her move in day she was playing music, and when Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan turned on, Calypso got the zoomies. The “zoomies” in rabbit world means binkying. Which is a rabbit’s way to show that they are very happy and full of energy by twisting and jumping in the air. Binkying only occurs when a rabbit feels safe and comfortable in their environment.
Calypso’s purpose as an emotional support animal goes beyond the title. From being a celebrity on Hastings’ floor, to being Chappell Roan’s biggest fan, Calypso is a fun-loving rabbit who brings out the gentle and loving side of others.
