Anyone else have therapy chickens?
Yes, I value my chickens as therapy pets.. both emotional and physical! And even consider that part of the benefit that helps negate the cost of keeping them..
They're good listeners, they don't judge, they won't tell your secrets, and they don't care about politics. Collecting colorful egg makes me feel the joy of child getting a gift almost daily.. and that kinda happiness is infectious!
Stroking their soft feathers, speaking back and forth in gentile silly voices while they pick the lint off my shirt and make my legs toasty and look at me with trust and acceptance.. it's soothing to the core of my being.
I'm kind of under motivated.. and desperately NEED a reason to go outside at all during the rainy winter of the Pacific Northwest. They're literally an anti-depressant with not many negative side effects!
The husbandry needed by chickens also helps with physical activity and keeping a body in motion.. instead of letting the recliner slowly suck life away. I get to stay strong just taking care of my poultry friends and NO need to go to the gym or the physical therapist!
But then there's more.. the education given me about viral, bacterial, fungal, genetic, nutritional diseases.. biology microbiology and the general circle of life, where my food comes from and how my consumption impacts things.. Has been therapeutic on a level that helps keep me both grounded and accepting.. knowing that I'm not in control and that's okay!
I too recognize that chickens are NOT service animals as recognized by the American with Disabilities act and don't believe that's the question being posed by the OP!
I looked into the poultry for patriot mentioned.. and it appears as though it's attempting to get chickens into veterans back yards not sitting next to you on a plane or at the doctors office...
http://poultryforpatriots.yolasite.com/
It's so cool that a friend gets to enjoy time with your chickens! One of my friends even cried when she discovered I homed one of mine that was uber special. Chickens, kept in the right set up (sometimes that means your friends').. can be very therapeutic, NO doubt!
on a different note I bought him the chicken encyclopedia book so he can learn all about chickens
Now we’re waiting on button quail to hatch. They won’t be the same but I hope a cute little pair will be enough to fill what my kiddo calls “the Bean sized hole in my heart”.
