Service animals can work to make life easier for people, from guide dogs to emotional support pets. But one preschool in New Zealand is thinking outside the box.
Their traffic officer is a chicken.
The policing poultry is named Henry, and according to The Washington Post , sheâs being used as a sentry for Newstead Country Preschool located near a farm in Newstead, New Zealand. Farm owner (and school principal) Tracy Trigg outfits Henry with a fluorescent safety vest, then sets her out to wander the parking lot. Because parents dropping off their kids know about Henry, they drive slowly and cautiously in the lot.
Trigg told the Post that Henry is something of a stray who wandered into a neighborâs home late in 2020 to urinate on the carpet. Henry essentially volunteered for duty when she broke out of her chicken coop one day and strutted over to the schoolâs class of 37 during recess. Thatâs when Trigg had the notion to use Henry as a kind of warning for drivers.
It doesnât hurt that the students adore her. âWhen cars come, they donât drive over the children because Henry makes the cars stop,â student Molly McIlmurray told the Post . âThen we can go for our bush walks. I love her.â
Henry is considered part of the schoolâs faculty to the point where sheâs allowed in the break room. As for the vest: While youâd think it would be difficult to find one sized for a chicken, Trigg was able to locate one online.
âShe was pretty relaxed and compliant about wearing the jacket,â Trigg said. âNow we pop it on first thing in the morning and take it off around lunchtime. As long as there is cheese involved, sheâs happy to go along with it.â
[h/t The Washington Post ]
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