Avian Sanctuary, Recovery and Community
Like mammals, parrots have a "social brain." They live in a complex web of relationships and form deep, lasting bonds. Tragically, wild parrots are losing their families and homes through the destruction of forests and capture for the “pet bird” trade. Millions of birds in captivity suffer from depression, alienation, and self-injury because of human abuse and neglect. Yet their despair often goes unnoticed and untreated.
The Avian Care and Recovery Program
Kerulos and the Midwest Avian Adoption and Rescue Services (MAARS) have established the Avian Care & Recovery Program to aid parrots recovering from severe psychological trauma. This program is an innovative, state-of-the-art education, training, and care facility that integrates science and sanctuary. Kerulos and MAARS actively collaborate in research, scientific publications, and presentations on parrot psychological trauma.
This year, in 2010, we will present these new papers at AAV in San Diego, California:
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Captive Avians: Treatment Considerations
• Avian Affect Dysregulation: Mechanisms and Treatment
• The Role of Consent in Avian Psychotherapy
Peanut’s Progress: The Journal and Journeys of A Macaw and Her Therapist
Volunteer Susan Donohue chronicles her experience as she learns about parrot trauma recovery in her growing relationship with Peanut, a blue and gold macaw, at MAARS. Read the journal here.
Publications
Orosz S, Bradshaw GA. Neuroanatomy of the companion avian parrot. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract. 2007;10:775–802.
Support the parrots.
photo credits
"Panama", courtesy Jeff Borchers
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"Science in service to animals"
