It has been reported that common mynahs are chirpy, lively and outgoing social birds. If trained with patience right from baby stage, they adapt to live indoors and in cages as pets that can mimic human voices to a reasonable extent.
Some experts in animal-assisted therapy have bred mynahs in captivity and hand-raised them to make them excellent pets that mimic a few words. However, watching activities of common mynahs around houses or in parks can be a great stress buster and calming experience. "I've met a talking brahmini mynah...Amazing pet," wrote facebook friend Ajay Talwar after watching my micro-video on mynah which for me involved bird watching with intent as a calming and refreshing experience.
Animal-assisted therapy in the form pet therapy refers to the use of specially and professionally trained animals (dogs, horses, and birds) for general well-being and helping people to cope with and recover from some physical and mental health conditions under the care and guidance of a certified therapist.
Animal-assisted therapy as therapeutic has been selectively used for bridging the developmental gaps of children with special needs since when used with a protocol can improve motor, social and behvaviour skills. However, the animal has be trained professionally in specific task-obedience regimen.
Additionally, the pair will go through obedience training. This rigorous testing and certification ensures the safety and professionalism of everyone involved and helps give the person access to the best therapy sessions possible.
It is important to note that a therapy dog is not the same as a service dog and does not have all of the same rights. For example, a therapy dog cannot accompany a handler into a business establishment.
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