Piglet International Inc.
Piglet International Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation formed in New York and duly qualified with the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We are growing our organization with the mission to inspire children and adults to be resilient, inclusive, and kind by bringing the Piglet Mindset® Educational Program to children and adults around the world. We are currently 100% funded by the generosity of our supporters and profits from the sale of Piglet merchandise such as t-shirts and stickers. We measure our success by the growing number of schools that bring our Piglet Mindset® program to their students, and the positive feedback we receive from teachers, administrators, parents, and the children.
In addition to our Piglet Mindset® program, we educate, advocate, and fundraise for pets with disabilities. Piglet's Rescue Fund was created to support rescue organizations that focus on disabled dogs.
About Piglet International, Inc.
Definition: A Piglet Mindset is facing and overcoming challenges with a positive attitude. It is focusing on what you have and moving past what you don’t. It is accepting individuals for who they are and including them despite their differences. It is having empathy and understanding towards others and following up with positive actions. And it is being kind to all people and animals.
Explanation: Piglet is an adorable little deaf blind dog who acts as a vehicle to engage children as he faces his challenges with a positive attitude. Piglet uses the 3 senses he has to live a happy, meaningful, productive life. His adventures with his supportive 6-pack of rescue dogs gives children an authentic, real-life example of acceptance, inclusion, empathy, and kindness regardless of looks, abilities, and disabilities.
Strategy: Through online materials to be used by teachers, parents, scout leaders, counselors, and others, the Piglet Mindset® Educational Program reinforces Growth Mindset lessons and emphasizes Acceptance, Inclusion, Empathy, and Kindness. We also teach children about animal rescue and how to become effective animal advocates. In-person and virtual school visits, and appearances at fundraisers and other events support our mission. Fundraising via direct donations and Piglet Merchandise sales supports the Piglet Mindset® Educational Program as well as special needs dog rescues and related organizations.
Donate: We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation so all donations are tax deductible! Donations directly fund our Piglet Mindset® Educational Program materials, school visits and other outreach events, travel expenses, and support for teachers and others using our online Piglet Mindset Curriculum. Donations also support special needs dog rescues and other organizations that share our mission.
Our Board
Melissa Shapiro, DVM is a Veterinarian with over 35 years in practice as the owner of the Visiting Vet Service. She is a lifetime animal welfare advocate, providing veterinary services to dog and cat rescue organizations, and she is the CT State Representative for the HSVMA. Melissa is mom to Piglet, the deaf blind pink puppy and his pack, and serves as the director of Piglet International Inc., administering the online Piglet Mindset Educational Program and school visits, and fundraising for Piglet's Rescue Fund with outreach and monthly webinars. She also manages merchandise sales and other fundraising.
Dr. Shapiro is the creator of The Disabled Pets Project, a new resource for veterinarians, pet parents, and animal rescuers.
Warren Shapiro, MSW, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience working for private, public, and nonprofit organizations. He has worked in biotech pharmaceutical sales for the past 20+ years and is currently employed by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. Warren is Piglet’s Favorite Dad!
Marc Shapiro, Esq., a licensed, commercial real estate attorney with 38 years in practice and currently a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, the 4th largest law firm in the world. Marc provides the organization with legal services on a pro bono basis.
Ann Glover, a retired Consumer Marketing executive recognized for repositioning established brands, building new brands, and developing award winning, innovative, and revenue generating marketing solutions. Her last three senior executive marketing positions were with Voya Financial, The Hartford Financial Services Group, and PepsiCo Inc.
Tricia Fregeau, an innovative Massachusetts elementary school teacher with 22 years teaching experience. In July of 2017, her insight into the potential of Piglet, the deaf blind pink puppy to be a growth mindset teaching model for her students led to creation our Piglet Mindset educational outreach program in her classroom. She coined the phrase Piglet Mindset!
Ellie Shapiro is a consultant with Boston Consulting Group in Denver, CO. Ellie has extensive experience creating presentations with powerpoint and other platforms. She has redesigned our educational materials for the 2024/25 school year. She is also our artistic advisor for Piglet merchandise.
