When Kris Munster noticed that her chickens calmed her anxiety, she decided to start a unique foundation to share the magic of her “healing hens” with those who need it most. After getting married, the 39-year-old found herself trying to adjust to life on a ranch. Wanting to help her adjust to her new life, her husband bought a chicken coop and her first three Silkies — a chicken breed known for their fluffy feathers and pleasing temperament — so she would have companionship. Almost immediately, Kris began to notice that simply watching the chickens move, peck and preen themselves — while stroking their silky-soft feathers — eased her anxiety like nothing else. Excited, she went back to where her husband got the chickens and purchased three more. It wasn’t long before she learned how to train her hens to become therapy animals, and in 2023 she started a nonprofit called Healing Hens. Now, she travels to various senior living centers to bring comfort and joy to the residents as they settle in. She brings the chickens inside in a stroller, wheeling them room to room to allow them to visit with residents. Now, the program brings calm and comfort to those in need, especially in short-term rehab centers.
