Pets w/ disabilities for kids w/ disabilities

[Jackie C]

I have a mentally challenged grandson that is just beginning to notice that he is different. One project he worked on in summer camp this year was caring for dogs with disabilities. This is supposed to help kids learn to face their own challenges by helping animals learn to overcome their disabilities.

Now I'm looking for a pet for my grandson. I don't think a dog or cat is right for our home because we have birds, and I don't want to have to restrict their movements around the house, and with kids in the house there is a good chance of an accident. I wonder if a bird would be the right choice because I tend to bond very quickly with birds, and I'm afraid it would become my pet instead of my grandson's pet.

Can anyone think of a pet that would not hurt the birds or be hurt by them? I have cockatiels, ringnecks and parrotlets.

[Graehstone]

Have you thought about getting into Reptiles? We had a Gecko for a long time and he brought us much enjoyment and was fun to take care of.
Plus it's an easy animal to feed and keep the enclosures clean and can be handled without fear of losing a finger or anything.
If and when we ever have a little more room, Geckos are something that we might look into again.
Good luck on your search there.

[kathleen]

I had hamsters and they were easy to take care of. If you want something a little bigger, you might look into a guinea pig.

[jmphysics101]

Guinea pigs are great! I've got 3. They are a breeze to take care of, and they tame easily. I have mine trained to jump in a basket when it's time to change the cage or play. When my friends two year old comes over, he can hold the basket in his lap and pet the piggies. The basket works well, because the kid doesn't have the opportunity to squeeze or drop him. Plus, piggies have a tendency to pee when they comfortable. I have had hamsters, gerbils, and rabbits, and I find the piggies to be by far the easiest pet.

[CALVINS MOM]

How is your grandson with the birds? Very often, birds are born with disabilities too or, during the parent feeding process, the parents overpreen them and sometimes take off their toes or parts of their wings. I know of an EXCELLENT breeder who is a member of the AFA who sometimes has these types of birds. She is wonderful. Maybe????

[grandma]

I say Guinea pigs or lopped ear rabbit.

[Darlie]

Originally Posted by grandma

I say Guinea pigs or lopped ear rabbit.

Ditto that! Especially the Holland Lops.

[CALVINS MOM]

AWWWWW!! What a cute little bunny.

[bekfreak]

What about those big giant bunnies?

[grandma]

Giant Bunnies?
Like a Jack Rabit?
I lived in N. Dakota for a few years. The rabits there were about 3-4 ft. tall when standing on hind legs.

I don't think they would make good pets.