Book Review: Therapy Chickens

I recently sent the author of my new favorite book, Therapy Chickens, some questions about chicken keeping. This is a beautiful book that Tedra Hamel wrote and it highlights over 50 bits of wisdom. Like me she also lives in the PNW and is a resident of the Seattle area. It will be available in February. If you’re looking for a thoughtful short story with epic illustrations then look no further. This is a great Valentine’s gift for chicken lovers.

A page from the book with one of the author’s bits of wisdom.

Q&A with the author

Q. When did you decide to be a chicken keeper?

I love this question because I didn’t choose to have chickens, they found me! In 2019, I was struggling with some mental health challenges and a friend of mine thought I would benefit from some animal companionship. My rental just happened to have a small chicken coop in the backyard, so while I was at work one day she brought me two young chickens from her flock. From day one I was hooked. I had grown up with parakeets, and have always had a kinship with birds. I immediately fell in love with the chickens and everything about them. I had to learn everything about chicken keeping pretty quickly, but it brought me so much happiness!

Q. Which breed is your favorite?

I had two orpingtons who were my best friends. You’ll meet them in the book – Buffy and Juniper. So, orpingtons hold a very special place in my heart because of their calm companionship and willingness to go on adventures. I’ve heard them called the “golden retriever” of chicken breeds, and I have to agree. They are so content, fluffy, relaxed and smart. I was able to train Buffy and June to ski with me, paddleboard, and bike. They were fairly well house-trained, and Buffy was clicker trained. I have two new orpingtons now. Dandelion is a buff orpington, and Moose is a chocolate orpington.

Q. Are you done with nursing school, and have you ever brought a chicken to visit to lift spirits? (Do any hospitals allow therapy chickens like therapy dogs?)

I finished nursing school in August 2023, and started work at an ICU in Seattle in November. I have not brought any chickens in yet, but I do know that my hospital has an emotional support animal program. I just had a dog come visit one of my patients the other day! I am currently building back up my flock after a dog attack last year, but once I have girls who have the right personality to visit people, I may pursue bringing my chickens in as therapy animals.

Q. Which is your favorite message in your book?

This is a really hard question, because there are 54 bits of wisdom to choose from! But I have to say that I love the overall message of tuning into the natural cycles of the seasons. Chickens are really good at this – they adapt to the weather and the changing light. They have distinctly different behaviors for each season. It’s been a joy for me to watch their cyclical adaptations and interpret them into this book.

Q. Which chicken books are off the charts awesome for chicken keepers to have on hand?

My favorite chicken-themed books are:

The Chicken Health Handbook by Gail Damerow, which is all things chicken first aid

Click with your Chick by Giene Keyes, which is a dog trainers guide to training chickens

Under the Henfluence by Tove Danovich, a chicken friend of mine, which is a poignant and education book about backyard chicken keeping today.