Bird-assisted therapy, avian-assisted
Bird-assisted therapy, also known as avian-assisted therapy, involves using birds as part of therapeutic practices to support emotional, psychological, and cognitive well-being. This form of therapy is similar to other animal-assisted therapies, such as those involving dogs or horses, but focuses on the calming and positive effects that interacting with birds can provide.
Benefits of Bird-Assisted Therapy:
- Emotional Healing: Birds, especially parrots, have been shown to help reduce anxiety and depression. Their soothing presence, colorful appearance, and calm demeanor can provide comfort, especially to individuals dealing with stress or trauma.
- Social Interaction: Interacting with birds encourages communication, particularly in individuals with social anxiety or autism. Birds often mimic human speech, which can engage people in non-threatening, positive social exchanges.
- Cognitive Stimulation: The care and interaction required when working with birds, such as feeding, cleaning, and teaching them tricks, offer mental stimulation. This is particularly helpful for patients recovering from mental illness or those with cognitive decline, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
- Physical Benefits: Caring for birds, especially in more active settings like aviaries, can encourage physical movement and responsibility, which supports both mental and physical health.
- Connection to Nature: Birds provide a direct connection to nature. Observing their behaviors, colors, and songs offers a sense of peace and mindfulness, which can be therapeutic.
Common Birds in Therapy:
- Parrots: Known for their intelligence and ability to mimic speech, parrots engage people emotionally and cognitively.
- Finches and Canaries: Their gentle songs and vibrant colors offer comfort and sensory stimulation.
- Pigeons and Doves: Their calm, non-aggressive nature makes them ideal for those seeking a more grounded, peaceful connection.
Examples of Use:
- In elder care homes, birds are used to reduce loneliness and encourage socialization.
- Autism therapy sometimes includes parrots to help children develop communication skills.
- For individuals with mental health disorders, birds can provide a sense of purpose and routine.
Bird-assisted therapy is still growing in popularity and research, but its benefits are recognized across various therapeutic environments.
Bird-assisted therapy example:
The use of Therapy animals for a range of disabilities and psychological disorders is well documented. The use of birds as ESAs not so. Let’s change this. Bird assisted therapy is done by Feather Tails Therapy owned by Karen Davis and Roy Jones in Australia.
They visit institutions like Narangba Community Aged Care as well as Estia at Albany Creek to introduce their flock.
A beautiful reminder of why they do what they do. Lennox was given a budgie yesterday who he has named Banjo. The photo was taken by his mother Dianne. Banjo was delivered by our Treasurer Michelle. The smile on Lennox face is worth more than money is worth.
Click on photo to join Facebook group:
This group is designed for those who have therapy birds to share their stories and for those who want a therapy bird as well as those who already have a bird they hope will meet criteria to make into therapy birds.
Click on photo to follow on Instagram:
Feather Tails Therapy is a not-for-profit organization that takes birds and Guinea pigs into aged care facilities for the residents to play with.
Do you also have bird products or services to show the world? Look no further. Your birds gonna love you!
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