This Adorable Kangaroo Is A Therapy Animal Providing Relief To Veterans In A Nursing Home

When we hear about therapy animals, we’re used to hear about dogs or the occasional cat, but this one is a little outlandish.

Charlie is a therapy animal from Down Under and he’s also a kangaroo. The therapy pet works with veterans at the William E. Christoffersen Salt Lake City Veterans Home in Utah.

“As a tiny kangaroo, they can hold him and love him, and feed him a bottle, and, as he gets bigger, he just hops all over the facilities,” said Noralyn Kahn, an administrator at the home.

She also said this makes young children want to visit their grandparents and spend time in the nursing home more frequently. Grandma and Grandpa are happier with the animal and also less scary to young children who may not understand illness.

The children also like petting the kangaroo:

“It makes it so that the grandkids aren't afraid to come see Grandpa. Because they can come see Charlie, too.” pic.twitter.com/jEU8jpss16

— Lisa Nico (@LisaNicoNews) February 9, 2016

Due to Charlie’s good deeds, the American Red Cross plans to honor him in an upcoming event. For his services to veterans, Charlie will be honored in a Heroes Recognition Event on March 31 at the Little America Hotel. That’s a pretty big prize for a little animal.

Unfortunately, that little animal is rapidly growing to be a big one, so Charlie will be leaving the nursing home soon, as he will be too large to stay indoors.

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