Montana woman uses chickens as therapy animals

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POLSON — Therapy dogs can be a comfort for seniors and those recovering from illnesses and injuries. So how about therapy chickens? Jana Clairmont of Polson, Mont., calls her therapy birds — a white rooster and Cornish game hen — "Fowl Play."

On Thursday, she took them to visit residents at Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center in northeast Montana.

Many seniors were raised on farms, Clairmont says, and holding a chicken can bring back memories.

As one man stroked the rooster, Alex, the bird stretched out his neck and rested it across the man's forearm, like a puppy.

Clairmont has arranged visits to retirement and assisted living homes, and says she'd like to take Alex and Carlita, the hen, into classrooms this fall.

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Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com

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{"commentId":7748954,"authorDomain":"beamerab3"}

She and "Bunny Woman from Oregon" need to hang out.

{"commentId":7748954,"threadId":"607882","contentId":"2948975","authorDomain":"beamerab3"}
    Reply#1 - Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:08 PM EDT
    {"commentId":7752715,"authorDomain":"british-lassy333"}

    This was far more a pleasure to read, than a fatal encounter with some KFC 3 piece dinner or a fox removing an appendage.

    Therapy fowls.... love it!!!

    {"commentId":7752715,"threadId":"607882","contentId":"2948975","authorDomain":"british-lassy333"}
      Reply#2 - Sat Jun 20, 2009 5:15 AM EDT
      {"commentId":7763391,"authorDomain":"r-s-m2008"}

      My first thought was whether this would turn out to be neck-wringing therapy. Glad it was something more pleasant.

      One of my brothers had a fancy rooster with feathered legs. Can't think of its name but he'd nap with the dog, follow my brother around the yard, want him to pick him up & played guard-chicken chasing people who show'd up when the bro wasn't home. lol. The dog could've cared less!

      {"commentId":7763391,"threadId":"607882","contentId":"2948975","authorDomain":"r-s-m2008"}
      • 1 vote
      Reply#3 - Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:38 PM EDT
      {"commentId":7763988,"authorDomain":"british-lassy333"}

      LOL guard chicken....!!!

      Dog probably enjoyed the Holiday time!

      {"commentId":7763988,"threadId":"607882","contentId":"2948975","authorDomain":"british-lassy333"}
        #3.1 - Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:38 AM EDT
        {"commentId":7770050,"authorDomain":"r-s-m2008"}

        Dog napped alot.

        {"commentId":7770050,"threadId":"607882","contentId":"2948975","authorDomain":"r-s-m2008"}
          #3.2 - Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:05 PM EDT
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          {"commentId":7763515,"authorDomain":"moral-hazard-1168370"}

          Chicken soup is also therapeutic.

          {"commentId":7763515,"threadId":"607882","contentId":"2948975","authorDomain":"moral-hazard-1168370"}
          • 1 vote
          Reply#4 - Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:48 PM EDT
          {"commentId":7763913,"authorDomain":"r-s-m2008"}

          LOL. Good point MH!

          {"commentId":7763913,"threadId":"607882","contentId":"2948975","authorDomain":"r-s-m2008"}
            Reply#5 - Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:30 AM EDT
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