A Canadian psychology professor who studies how relationships with pets support healthy development has her own unusual therapy animal: an emotional support chicken. Professor Sonia Kong (inset) said she named the 11-month old bird Saturday for the day she adopted it from a farm. She even crafted a special diaper for the feathered baby so it can travel with her around the city. Kong, who teaches at the University of Northern British Columbia, is currently researching how pets impact the social and emotional development of teens through an online survey. “We want to see whether there are cultural differences and how spending time with pets may influence adolescents in different cultural backgrounds,” said Kong. Kong’s parents are still getting used to the idea of their daughter’s new pet, and jokingly asked if she planned to eat it. Needless to say, social media has exploded with their own opinions, including one commenter who wrote, "This farce has gone on long enough at work, in stores, in restaurants, and on public transportation. People who can't function without some animal have issues that no furry, feathered, or scaly friend can fix."
