How to certify a chicken for therapy

[JennH07]

Hi All,

My daughter has a Bantam Cochin that I want to get certified for therapy chicken for myself. She was used for 4-H and is VERY calm and lovable, a real cuddle bug. She really helps with my anxiety and bipolar. She has been living in our house with numerous animals and is doing great. She gets along with everybody and the two cats that we have that we had when we had chicken in the past just run. She is the only chicken that we have since we are in city limits. She is just such a love to my daughter and me, especially with my problems that I would like to make her certified.

Does anybody have any idea how to go about this?

 

[Hillaire]

not sure but this website seems to have a lot of info to get you started. What a great idea. https://www.nsarco.com/emotional-support-info.html

 

[aart]

Chickens definitely help.....curious why they would need to be certified?

 

[TalkALittle]

I think you are wanting her to serve as an emotional support animal not a therapy animal. Therapy animals need to be certified because they are part of an animal/handler team that goes into public places and give therapeutic benefit to others. Therapy animals only have public access rights in the places they are performing their function. Examples might be dogs that visit nursing homes. They are allowed in nursing homes, libraries, homeless shelters, etc. to do their job but the handler can't take them in to the grocery store with them. They are afforded no housing rights above that of a pet.

Emotional support animals provide comfort to their owners. They may be afforded limited public access rights (mostly restricted to travel and transportation) and housing rights. You need is a note from your doctor stating that you benefit from the emotional support of an animal.

 

[JennH07]

Thanks all!!

Emotional Support Animal is right. Just what I was looking for and I know I can get a note from my doctor for her. Since we are within city limits and I am worried that she may be taken away. She only goes out on a harness and leash but she does surprisingly well in the house. Even my husband likes her!!

Thanks again for all the help!!

 

[MIchickenlady]

I think you are wanting her to serve as an emotional support animal not a therapy animal. Therapy animals need to be certified because they are part of an animal/handler team that goes into public places and give therapeutic benefit to others. Therapy animals only have public access rights in the places they are performing their function. Examples might be dogs that visit nursing homes. They are allowed in nursing homes, libraries, homeless shelters, etc. to do their job but the handler can't take them in to the grocery store with them. They are afforded no housing rights above that of a pet.

Emotional support animals provide comfort to their owners. They may be afforded limited public access rights (mostly restricted to travel and transportation) and housing rights. You need is a note from your doctor stating that you benefit from the emotional support of an animal.

You seem to have knowledge about therapy animal vs emo support vs service animal.
My question is- is there ANY program that legit certifies chickens for therapy work??
I've been all over online and received a huge disappointing no from Pet Partners just today.
Any ideas??
Thank you

 

[aart]

You seem to have knowledge about therapy animal vs emo support vs service animal.

Unfortunately @TalkALittle hasn't been around for a couple years.

 

[MIchickenlady]

Thanks.