In the geriatric healthcare world, therapy animals are often seen, usually certified therapy dogs. In the new place I work we have multiple large bird cages, fish tanks, therapy dogs, & even Parker the therapy cat! Parker looks to be an elderly cat himself and I don't know his full story but he has his own room with his name on it. :D
The bird cages are glass enclosed, and I know my cats would be having a field day watching the birds. Maybe in Parker's prime. Nowadays Parker seems to be quite content to lie around and get petted or rub your legs. Or give you that typical cat look of, you're still taking pictures of me, human?
I know Parker must have a special story and I aim to find out. Anyway, the birds are neat too. If you look closely enough in my first picture, I think I see another birdie snuggled in the back of the nest. There are a variety of these finches.
There's even a baltimore Oriole bird, according to a couple sources anyway. I've been told you can see them in the wild in Minnesota as well. Funnily enough, I never saw them when I lived near Baltimore, MD for nearly five years, at different times.
There's also an elusive blue finch that I've yet to get a good picture of. One of the cages has some neat small pigeon type birds. These cages are pretty big which is great, the birds always seem content and lively & the cages are kept quite clean as well.
It's amazing the therapeutic effects animals have on the elderly, sick people of all ages, & people in general. I love seeing people's eyes light up when they see Parker, or one of the several therapy dogs, or the delightful, chirping birds. The aquariums provide a nice, tranquil vibe.
I kept freshwater aquariums for many years and had a really old cichlid (over ten years old.) Some people don't think you can get attached to fish, but that's not true. I also had a goldfish that lived to be quite old. I do believe they can develop a fondness for the human that feeds them and they do look at you. Obviously, certain breeds are more attentive than others.
I think I will get back into aquariums. I was always good at it & enjoyed it immensely. What are your thoughts? Do you have a therapy animal? I have two therapy cats that are the best. They can be better companions than actual people at times. Orangey certainly thinks so. =)
And my box kitty is always entertaining. =^_^=
That will wrap things up. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Find Steemit Dreamit support group on Facebook
You are lucky to have so many different critters at your job, Chelsea! I love all types of animals and have never been without at least one pet in my life. When I was in kindergarten, my class came over to our house to see the "zoo" we had at the time. We had dogs, cats, Guinea pigs, a hamster, parakeets, box turtles, and (for a short while) a runaway squirrel monkey that my dad found in the detached garage. That squirrel hated my Dad, and would show its teeth whenever Dad came around "Charlie," as we named him. Mom lured Charlie out of hiding with a cooked chicken drumstick and we kept him in a large screened cage my dad built. After unsuccessfully running an ad to try to locate Charlie's owner, we contacted the [real] zoo in our city to have someone come to get Charlie the squirrel monkey and give it a home with the other primates. On a side note, the St. Louis Zoo was recently rated the number one zoo in the U.S. and it's totally free!
I agree that tropical and salt water fish are totally relaxing and therapeutic to watch! If you tap on the glass before feeding them, they learn to come out of hiding and go to the surface to eat. I once had a black molly that would kiss my finger whenever I put it in the tank. Thinking back, she probably just liked the taste of salt. Mollies do better and breed in water with slight salinity. Once, my angel fish bred. Laid eggs up and down the huge, decorative stick in the center of the 55 gallon, hexagon shaped tank. Coolest thing ever, till the eggs hatched and the parents ate all of their own babies!!! I didn't know that would happen. Broke my heart! Funny the things you learn...
What other species iof fish have you had besides cichlids and goldfish? What will you have when you setup your tank this time around? @chelsea88
I've had a variety of fish, but since you cant mix cichlids that limited what i had at one time when i could only keep one tank. But i also love angel fish, bettas, and many of the common pet store varieties. I've experienced fish eating their young before also. So weird!
I've also never been without a pet. I don't understand some people who say when their pet dies they're never getting another one. Too sad!
So cool. Ive got 3 cats and 2 Guinea pigs. I deal with nerve issues, adrenal fatigue and i can get frazzeled easily. When i chill with my Guinea pigs they help calm me. I literally was just commenting to my bestfriend how I feel better when I hold them in those times. Those are a lot of birds. Beautiful. Animals are really speacial.
That's really great you have your animals there for you =)
Good to know I have plenty of cats around for my therapy. :-)
Parker <3
That's a lot of animal , did you have them??
No if you read the post almost all of them are from where i work...
I feel like I received a therapy just reading this. People are quick to say what animals feel but especially what they don’t. Just like with a human, only you can feel the depth of that friendship. Unless that fish’s just playin’ You.