Avian Assisted
Intervention Programs
Freedom to Fly Program: Is our Avian assisted therapy process designed to use the bond between a person and parrot both having suffered a traumatic event and facilitating healing for both. (Please call for an appointment)
Many of our parrots crave human interaction and they are all candidates for our Trauma therapy process. We have a very detailed process that takes a person who has suffered trauma through a journey of healing with our parrots over a period of time. In the beginning phase pariticpants visit our sanctuary to help us identify which parrot the person will be paired with. Once that occurs a series of observation sessions outside an aviary are required. The next phase includes interaction with the parrot in its enclosure. After this period of adjustment for both our parrot and the individual we advance the person and their partnered parrot to have sessions together in a tranquil setting around our sanctuary.
This type of healing therapy is not considered to be clinical and is not held in a clinical setting, therefore we do not require health insurance and most importantly we do not charge a fee for this service. Our goal is to bring parrots and people who have suffered trauma together in a joyful and immersive environment for healing.
Senior Enrichment
Program Offsite
We’re All Young at Heart Program: to see the childlike wonder in the eyes of our senior community residents is all it takes to understand the joyful impact our parrot enrichment program has. Working with local activity directors our ability to bring joy to senior home residents is unforgettable. Being able to ask questions about our parrots and see them up close and interactive allows seniors to participate in this wonderful activity. Special moments happen when Alzheimer patients remember parrots they have owned before bringing tears to family and caregivers in attendance. Laughter and smiles await everyone in this memorable experience that has us being asked back again and again.
Periodical Citations About the Healing Powers of Parrots
(Siebert, 2016) article "What does a parrot know about PTSD Charles Siebert wrote: "Abandoned pet parrots are twice-traumatized beings: denied first their natural will to flock and then the company of the humans who owned them"
(Adams, 2019) Birding with benefits: How nature improves our mental mindsets. Bird watching has been a hobby for centuries and well documented for calming one's mind. Mounting evidence supporting the health benefits of the outdoors is helping shape innovations in medicine, education and more.
(Pepperberg, I. M. 2008) Dr. Irene Pepperberg an animal psychologist conducted a 30 year experiment and documented the intelligence and ability of her African Grey to communicate in her book "Alex and Me" Harper,
Kathleen Allen points out by their very nature, pets do not judge, and they are not critical which makes them ideal for dementia to help reduce the effects of anxiety, agitation, irritability, depression and loneliness. Alzheimer's disease: The Magic of Pets (Allen, 2021)