Saturday, January 3, 2009

NPR discusses non-traditional service animals

NPR discusses non-traditional service animals by reiterating the Jan. 4 NY Times Magazine story about them. In the picture, Jim Eggers, who has bipolar disorder, carries his parrot Sadie around with him in this cage converted into a backpack. He says that his parrot can help him calm down and avoid destructive behavior.

Chances are you've seen a blind person accompanied by a guide dog. But what about a guide horse, a service parrot or a monkey trained to help an agoraphobic?

These are just a few of the nontraditional service animals that are used across the country to help people with disabilities and psychological disorders. As their uses are expanding, however, the government is considering a proposal that would limit the definition of "service animal" to "a dog or other common domestic animal."