Göte has always liked people and it was the owner Emelie Ulfsdotter’s podcast colleague who hatched the idea: “Why don’t you do something about it and train him to be a therapy duck?”.
– He’s a duck, I thought at first. But at the same time, it has not stopped people in other countries, and it is on that path, she tells TV4 Nyheterna.
The trend has grown in the United States, where ducks and chickens work as therapy animals. Now Emelie hopes that Göte can become the first therapy duck in Sweden.
– I follow several influencers in the USA and in the UK a hen works as an emotional supporter. Why not do the same in Sweden and jump on the trend?
“Exposing him to noise”
There is currently no training for ducks to become therapy animals. Instead, owner Emelie Ulfsdotter keeps one of her own for Göte – which hopes to be ready after the summer, something NA for first to report on.
– I expose him to noise and lots of people. We go around to markets where he gets to meet a lot of people and make sure he doesn’t get stressed.
Ducks are prey animals, but Göte is different, he doesn’t run away when he’s scared but is a sensitive individual at the same time.
– He put his head in the hand of one who was here to say hello, my other ducks don’t do that. He doesn’t need to know people but still gives them what they need.
Must have a diaper so no “accidents” happen
But it is not owner Emelie Ulfsdotter who decides whether Göte becomes a therapy animal – the fate is in the hands of a veterinarian who first needs to carry out a suitability inspection on him. There, both the psyche and the personality will be tested.
– It’s a little nervous that he won’t be approved, but I hope so. He is a very patient and calm individual.
If Göte gets the green light, this autumn he will travel to nursing homes, preschools and care facilities. There, he will spread joy and security to people who otherwise do not have the opportunity to meet animals.
– People look like children on Christmas Eve when they get to hold him in their lap, says Emelie Ulfsdotter.
An old people’s home in Karlskoga, near Göte’s home, has already said that they want to see him come to visit if he becomes a therapy duck.
– Of course, he must wear a diaper so that no accidents happen. I hope we can go out wherever needed. If he can make people happy for a day, both my goal and his are fulfilled.