Today was absolutley awsome!!!!!!!!!

I'm a teacher's assistant in a special education school (called BOCES). Since te summer program is smaller and a little bit more laid back than te school year, Papi came to school today.

In the morning, we told the kids to be quiet so not to scare the bird, and I swear nobody said a word for 10 minutes. Keep in mind these are 6 six, seven, and eight year olds with behavioral issues. The teacher I work with joked I should bring hi in every day. The whole class had a "perfect day" wchich means they all earned all of their reward points and got to pick out a toy to take home at the end of the day. My favorite cild, Michael was so cute. He comes running off the bus yelling, "DID YOU BRING YOUR PET PARROT?" then when told him his name was Papi (Michael is hispanic), he yells "Papi is my daddys name too!!"

All of the other classes in the school came to visit and the kids took turns holding him and feeding him (Papi LOVED that!). To see a small child with no arms laughing histerically because Papi was sitting on his foot and tickling him was just tear jerking.

Papi was great wit everyone, although a little shy. One kid had to be restrained and removed because he started attacking the staff beause the bird wouldnt talk, but what do you expect? Funny enough, the minute he was removed, Papi yels "HELLLO" for the rest of the class. We just got home, and Papi had a nice mist, a nutriberie and is now enjoying a little nap.

The pictures of all of the kids holding and playing with papi were awsome, but I'm pretty sure there are legal if not just ethical issues that would prevet me from posting them. So here are a few of Papi checking out the classroom and a picture of Papi one of the kids drew.

I just thought it was an amazing day and had to share with all of you!

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It sounds like this may have to happen again! I'm glad both the kids and Papi enjoyed their day together.

That was a great idea and a good thing to do Josh.
You always hear how taking a puppy to a nursing home is theropudic for the elderly....same same.

Josh you are so great!! What a nice thing to do for the children and for Papi. Sounds like it was an awesome day for everyone. I'm sure there were many children telling their parents all about Papi!

Sounds really good

It was a lot of fun for every one. Papi, the kids, and the staff. And using Papi as almost a behavioral tool was great. I took pitures of all of the kids with him and am going to get them printed out for their parents.

Josh you're awesome. And just make sure you sell the parents a RAT not an amazon when they all come running in for a parrot.

that's wonderful, josh.... the power of something that unusual (nevertheless, we bird slaves are still the minority) is overwhelming. it's great that papi allows the kids to hold him.... i'm sure it's an experience that most of them won't forget.

that is so touching i am glad that fun was had by all!

What a wonderful story - not only do you and Papi bring happiness to each other, but to other people as well.

Lovely.