Birds can be great therapy pets

PAWS, CLAWS AND BEAKS

Parrots Pea-O and Tango are owned and trained by Joni Blank-Malukas of Mutual 15. Both birds are certified therapy birds through the largest organization of its kind in the United States called Pet Partners, the only organization that certifies a variety of animals, not just dogs, cats and birds. It also certifies other animals such as pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, llamas, alpacas, donkeys and miniature horses There are 10,250 certified animals nationally, with over 10,000 being dogs Tango is a 20-year-old Blue-Crowned-Conure Parrot. They can live up to 30 years. This species is found in Argentina. She is the same species of parrot as portrayed in the movie “Paulie” from the 1990s. Tango can talk and do tricks while visiting patients who can hold, pet and cuddle her. She also gives “birdie kisses” and likes to groom men’s beards and/or moustaches. Tango has been a therapy bird for six-and-a-half-years. She has regularly visited the inpatient psychiatric hospitals in Cerritos and Santa Ana.

Pea-O is a Meyer’s Parrot that is 12-and-a-half-years old. In the wild Meyer’s Parrots are found in South Central Africa. They can live to be 20-25 years old. Pea-O was rescued from a bird shop two and a half years ago. He has been a therapy bird for eight months and visits the same places that Tango does.

Tango and Pea-O love to visit with people of all ages and help them feel better. Therapy animals also do community events and go to schools. Tango has gone to schools for the past three years and has worked the Children’s Festival in Costa Mesa at South Coast Plaza over Labor Day Weekend. Tango makes all ages happy. She loves getting her picture taken with anybody and giving out birdie kisses.

Including Tango and Pea-O there are only 35 therapy birds nationally. There are nine therapy birds in the entire state of California, with six of those birds being in Southern California, including Tango and Pea-O.

Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, Tango and Pea-O haven’t been out since March of this year, in order to avoid Joni being exposed. They miss going out on their facilities visits and to schools and community events. The patients who interact with Pea-O or Tango will receive a personally autographed card with information and a picture of that specific bird.

Since parrots are “unusual” and exotic, it makes them very exciting for people, not just to see, but to actually touch, hold, and talk to directly. Parrots are very good listeners, beard groomers, give great birdie kisses. Since they are small and easy to carry around, they make great therapy animals. They are very empathetic, do not tire easily, love car rides and are very curious.