Bear Visits West Hartford Counseling Center

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A local nonprofit dedicated to helping children, teens, and families maintain and establish good mental health this week had a very unique visitor to its office.

The Bridge Family Center, located at 1022 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, reported that a furry, sharp-clawed visitor made its presence known on Monday, July 28.

The black bear was filmed ambling through the parking lot area, driveway, and amid the site's landscaping.

Center officials posted the video to their Facebook page and speculated on why the bear, which carried a state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection tag, was visiting.

Their theory? It may have needed a counselor.

"A special someone just paid us a visit at our main office," wrote The Bridge Family Center. "He must have heard that we’re taking new clients. We hope he finds somewhere to rest & cool down in this heat."

It has been hot in the state this week, and bears have, more and more, been seen in Connecticut, especially in West Hartford.

In June, a student getting off the school bus stumbled upon two bears while exiting the bus in West Hartford, with other bear reports common among local scuttlebutt.

From July 10: 'Bear In Simsbury Mauls West Hartford Woman's Dog: Report'

From June 10: 'Student Getting Off School Bus Encounters 2 Bears In West Hartford: Report'

From May 27: Bear Surprises Local Resident In Back Yard: Report'

From Aprill 11: Tree-Climbing Bear Greets Shoppers At Mall: Reports'

From March 28: CT Bear Population Expands: Town-by-Town Numbers'