Can Exotic Animals Make Good Therapy Pets?
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In 2011, Alex was working at an adult day program for adults with developmental disabilities. Inspired by regular visits from pet therapy teams, she decided to work on training her ferrets, Gambit and Sophie, to do similar work. She found that working with exotic animals creates some different opportunities for pet therapy. While dogs are the most commonly used therapy pet in most organizations, there are many people who have allergies to dogs or who may be fearful due to their larger size or previous negative experiences. Alex found that her much smaller ferrets tended to be less frightening and offered a valuable experience to certain populations. Over the years, Alex has provided pet therapy services with ferrets, parrots, and even a chameleon!
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Shortly after moving to Maryland in 2013, Alex got involved with Pets on Wheels with her ferret Gambit. Together, they continued visiting individuals with disabilities. Ferrets are naturally inquisitive and their bodies are surprisingly durable and flexible. People with limited motor functions are often joyful to hold a ferret and the ferret is often blissfully ignorant of being held in an awkward or unusual way. Their bodies easily adapt to whatever works best for the person holding them. Those with even more limited motor functions often enjoy having a ferret on their lap and they smile as they watch the ferret take an interest in all the different scents of their clothes, chair, or wheelchair. Gambit, in particular, was known for giving kisses on cue with the permission of the individuals he visited.
Unfortunately, Gambit passed away in 2017, but his legacy continues. Ferrets and Friends currently has five certified therapy animals. In 2018, Ferrets and Friends partnered with Pets on Wheels to help "lick loneliness". This partnership not only helps us give back to our community, but it also helps keep our animals socialized and active during the less busy months of the year. Parrots, like Jubilee, require regular stimulation and attention. In the winter months and early spring, Jubilee makes regular visits to hospice patients and their families. There's nothing like a visit from a colorful macaw parrot to bring some levity and joy into their lives.
All of our therapy pets are available for events and our educational programs. While we try to offer some discounts to certain organizations or causes, we still charge a considerable fee for our services. Pets on Wheels allows us the flexibility to reach some individuals and groups that might not otherwise be able to afford our services. Not only do they get the exciting experience of seeing our unique animal friends up close, they also get the emotional support that therapy pet services provide. Pets on Wheels has over 500 volunteers that provides visits to 400 different facilities and events throughout Maryland. Furthermore, they provide these visits at no cost to the over 175,000 individuals who benefit from their services each year. Pets on Wheels operates on a very small budget and every dollar they receive is stretched to its maximum benefit. Please consider making a donation today.
Unfortunately, Gambit passed away in 2017, but his legacy continues. Ferrets and Friends currently has five certified therapy animals. In 2018, Ferrets and Friends partnered with Pets on Wheels to help "lick loneliness". This partnership not only helps us give back to our community, but it also helps keep our animals socialized and active during the less busy months of the year. Parrots, like Jubilee, require regular stimulation and attention. In the winter months and early spring, Jubilee makes regular visits to hospice patients and their families. There's nothing like a visit from a colorful macaw parrot to bring some levity and joy into their lives.
All of our therapy pets are available for events and our educational programs. While we try to offer some discounts to certain organizations or causes, we still charge a considerable fee for our services. Pets on Wheels allows us the flexibility to reach some individuals and groups that might not otherwise be able to afford our services. Not only do they get the exciting experience of seeing our unique animal friends up close, they also get the emotional support that therapy pet services provide. Pets on Wheels has over 500 volunteers that provides visits to 400 different facilities and events throughout Maryland. Furthermore, they provide these visits at no cost to the over 175,000 individuals who benefit from their services each year. Pets on Wheels operates on a very small budget and every dollar they receive is stretched to its maximum benefit. Please consider making a donation today.