Making a parrot a therapy animal?

[Jackiebuckdaily]

Does anyone know how to make a parrot a therapy animal, certified, etc for myself and for people in need?

Also, if I want to bring my parrots to visit people, do they have to be touched, can they be looked at and entertain and bring joy without being handled for both the people's safety and the birds.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Please have a look at this link http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/47007-emotional-support-parrots.html

 

[Taprock]

I looked into having a chicken certified as a therapy animal. I believe all birds were treated alike. First it had to be harness trained, second you had to be able to hand it to total strangers without it being aggressive or frightened. It also had to have a clean bill of health from the vet. You also had to take the animal to have its interaction observed. There was also a certification cost. I was told having a bird certified wasn't a sure thing and they usually fail.

 

[SailBoat]

Two weeks ago, I took my DYH Amazon to visit my mother at her assisted care home. The group size was twenty-two seniors (82 - 96), and five staff members. It was our Amazon's first 'show and tell' visit and he did very well. Prior to setting-up the visit, I had requested that there would not be any handling of Juilo and they had no problem with that. Consider the damage possible to the hand of an 86 year old, scares me to thing of it. The joy on the faces of my mother and her friends, clearly stated that Julio was the hit of the day and possible the week!

Now, Juilo had been at two Christmas gathering on my wife's side. A near like size group with ages from the oldest member there (Me) down to a barely one year old. So, I had a really good idea how he would handle that group size. And, due to the socializing that we work on with near every poor soul that shows-up at our front door. I also knew that, if needed, I could trust him to step-up on to an individuals arm. FYI: I never place a parrot on someone hand. Hint: With the parrot on my hand and using my finger to help steady the parrot, I place the individual's 'arm' between my body and the parrot on my hand. Once the parrot is on the individual's arm, I quickly move my hand 'under' and now still under but in front of my parrot. If I need to move my parrot quickly, its a quick hand move up and a 'Step-Up.' Shoulder runners are not a good choice for group presentations!

If you're planning on presenting your parrot(s) you need to have an answer for nearly every stupid question that will arise and also the really well conceived questions. You also need to have a well practiced presentation, so when you freeze, and yes, you will freeze, you have something to say while you recover.

Start small and work-up in the size of the group. Family commonly makes for a good place to start. Join a local bird club, most allow their members to bring their parrots to meetings. NOTE: Your parrot really needs to trust you and you need to have a clear idea of the status of your parrot. If your parrot begins to stress, you need to have a back-up plan to quickly get your parrot to a safe place, commonly, the bird carrier - which you have practiced with more than just the trip to the Vet's Office!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi some points to consider.

I am surprised that nobody has talked about the possibility of hygiene and disease/illness risks to the birds that are out and about. Each and every time I come home, the very first thing I do before anything else and definitely before going to see Plum is wash my hands. We pick up so many germs whilst out and about.

Do you take some sanitiser with you to the care home for people to use and do you use F10 etc? I have attended a bird club to socialise Plum and was happy(ish) when it was small and was attended by experienced bird people but became more nervous as numbers grew. As a consequence of attending, Plum became less nervous of being around people but he and the other birds could not relate to each other and so took no notice of each other at all. It didn't make him keener to go to anyone else either.

 

[SailBoat]

The goal of Bird Club visits with your parrot(s) is not targeted directly at socializing your parrot, but it can be part of it. Its about comfort with increased number of humans. Socializing is first handled at home, between members of your family and then expanding out from there.

The sight (seeing) capacity of a parrot is much quicker and more inclusive then ours. They are very aware of the other parrots and depending on the parrots, contact calls and more is fairly common. IMO, the parrots tend to stay with their humans based on their comfort zone i.e. being around their family. Could be much deeper, but I have not given it much consideration.

When out and about, a 'bird bag' is carried and included with other emergency items is a hand sanitizer. No sure what the brand is, since I live with a professional shopper and bird bag packer. I really don't think about, since whatever I need seems to appear from the bag, like magic. Yes, I am a very lucky guy!

 

[wrench13]

Oh I so want to make Sallty into my ESA, so I can take him with me on my tripps to CHina. I have to leave Monday 3/7 for 2 weeks over there in SHenzhen and I am going to miss the young fellow a lot, and he I. I would be Skyping with the wife an let Salty see me, but its not the same. I would love to be able to take Salty with me.

 

[plumsmum2005]

The goal of Bird Club visits with your parrot(s) is not targeted directly at socializing your parrot, but it can be part of it. Its about comfort with increased number of humans. Socializing is first handled at home, between members of your family and then expanding out from there.

The sight (seeing) capacity of a parrot is much quicker and more inclusive then ours. They are very aware of the other parrots and depending on the parrots, contact calls and more is fairly common. IMO, the parrots tend to stay with their humans based on their comfort zone i.e. being around their family. Could be much deeper, but I have not given it much consideration.

When out and about, a 'bird bag' is carried and included with other emergency items is a hand sanitizer. No sure what the brand is, since I live with a professional shopper and bird bag packer. I really don't think about, since whatever I need seems to appear from the bag, like magic. Yes, I am a very lucky guy!

Yes it indeed sounds like you are, if your wallet can take it? LOL

I am in agreement regarding the socialisation of our birds and can see it has made a difference to mine, albeit he is still very much a mummy's boy.

The point I am trying to emphasize is that the socialisation / going out doing good works within the community is not without risks to your bird and it needs to thought about, researched and precautions taken.

 

[SailBoat]

Good points on going out and about. We tend to provide presentation during the winter and early spring months for that reason. Also, very selective on the groups we are presenting too. Manage Risk - to - Benefit!

Yup! Keeping the wallet hidden is a must! Not business traveling as much as I use too, so its easier to keep tabs. Was into England and Europe once a quarter for years, really miss stopping by the Village Pub in the evenings - England, Best Dark Ale in the World!

Regarding traveling. Skyping really helps the parrots (and us!). It is very important for them to know that you are not 'forever' gone. Our Amazons are rehomed and being able to see you and hear you is very important to them.

In the not so long ago, when landline was the only method of keeping connected, our Amazons would spend more time looking around the phone to find me, they talking into the phone.

We had a set of small balls that would be set on a shelve near the cage. They would come out the day prior to my leaving and one ball would be removed each day I was gone. Our Amazon was always part of that process. Surprising how quickly they would figure out that when the last ball was removed, I would show-up.

Sorry, got off topic there!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Good points on going out and about. We tend to provide presentation during the winter and early spring months for that reason. Also, very selective on the groups we are presenting too. Manage Risk - to - Benefit!

Yup! Keeping the wallet hidden is a must! Not business traveling as much as I use too, so its easier to keep tabs. Was into England and Europe once a quarter for years, really miss stopping by the Village Pub in the evenings - England, Best Dark Ale in the World!

Regarding traveling. Skyping really helps the parrots (and us!). It is very important for them to know that you are not 'forever' gone. Our Amazons are rehomed and being able to see you and hear you is very important to them.

In the not so long ago, when landline was the only method of keeping connected, our Amazons would spend more time looking around the phone to find me, they talking into the phone.

We had a set of small balls that would be set on a shelve near the cage. They would come out the day prior to my leaving and one ball would be removed each day I was gone. Our Amazon was always part of that process. Surprising how quickly they would figure out that when the last ball was removed, I would show-up.

Sorry, got off topic there!

Good points on going out and about. - Thanks

... really miss stopping by the Village Pub in the evenings - England, Best Dark Ale in the World! - care to name a couple of favourites?

We had a set of small balls that would be set on a shelve near the cage. They would come out the day prior to my leaving and one ball would be removed each day I was gone. Our Amazon was always part of that process. Surprising how quickly they would figure out that when the last ball was removed, I would show-up. - hey that's clever

 

[SailBoat]

In the lower Midlands to north central London is home for my favored Dark Ale: Pedigree. Always get a raised eye when I order it, after all they have already figured out that I'm a Yak. If they do not have, it always starts a major discussion as to what to recommend . Regarding Village Pubs, Not going there. Favored Pubs is like favored home teams! Found it best not to take a stand there.

 

[plumsmum2005]

In the lower Midlands to north central London is home for my favored Dark Ale: Pedigree. Always get a raised eye when I order it, after all they have already figured out that I'm a Yak. If they do not have, it always starts a major discussion as to what to recommend . Regarding Village Pubs, Not going there. Favored Pubs is like favored home teams! Found it best not to take a stand there.

Sorry to tell you this .. but that is one of our local beers.
Don't worry about the pubs - we like to spread our favour LOL

Hubby asks if you have tried Wadworths; 6X, Fullers; London Pride, Courage; Directors - all draft/tap.

 

[Anansi]

...We had a set of small balls that would be set on a shelve near the cage. They would come out the day prior to my leaving and one ball would be removed each day I was gone. Our Amazon was always part of that process. Surprising how quickly they would figure out that when the last ball was removed, I would show-up.

THAT is an ingenious idea! I'm intrigued. In what way did your amazon react that told you your countdown process was understood?

 

[SailBoat]

With Kind Regards and a Very Sorry to the OP for stealing the bottom of your Post!

I'm not going to take credit for the concept of using the visual of the small balls. That was a recommendation from a fellow pond jumper several decades ago. He had Amazons also and I was complaining that I always got the "I'm Mad At You! Where Have You Been!," for several days after returning home. I will admit, that I have never really seen the 'day of parade' where our Amazon would come down off the cage and walk over to the door and pace back and forth in front of it. Wife would say; Not Yet, but today. Back to the cage and repeat an hour or so later. But, I have been greeted at the door with a very happy, edging on overloaded Amazon. There are few things more heartwarming than a full Amazon, Welcome Home!

Now for the good stuff: Yes; Fullers, Directors and Wadworth. Not sure of the others, maybe - commonly the fog of the evening had set in when additional recommendation would show-up. As I understand it, Pedigree does not travel well. Fairly small region in which it is available. Even if I could have figured-out how to get it home - no one in the US would understand how to properly pull a pint. A local beer for you, Great!