Utah Red Cross honors veterans home therapy kangaroo Charlie

Charlie the therapy kangaroo and his caretaker, Noralyn Kahn, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Utah Red Cross, St. George News

UTAH — For many veterans, the support of therapy animals is life-changing, and for residents at a Salt Lake City veterans home, a baby kangaroo is filling that role. The Utah Red Cross plans to honor the red therapy kangaroo for its service next month.

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Charlie the therapy kangaroo and his caretaker, Noralyn Kahn, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Utah Red Cross, St. George News

Charlie the therapy kangaroo is one of about a dozen therapy animals at William E. Christoffersen Veterans home and is growing up with the love and support of dozens of residents.

The veterans love having him at the home, Rich Woodruff, Red Cross director of communications and marketing, said in a media statement, adding that the impact of therapy animals is well-known, but Charlie has brought an entirely different dimension to the time-tested concept.

“He is an amazing therapy pet that allows the residents to laugh and share the joy of having him visit,” said Noralyn Kahn, Charlie’s caretaker and an administrator at the veterans home. “A secondary benefit is that children aren’t as afraid to come see grandma and grandpa because they can come see Charlie, too, so it’s all positive.”

Charlie weighs 30 pounds, but is expected to grow quickly, reaching about 5 feet 2 inches and 125 pounds. That means he won’t be able to stay in the veterans home much longer. Noralyn said when kangaroos reach puberty, they become more aggressive.

In Charlie’s case, he will be re-homed to a farm environment to live out his remaining days but, for now, he is one busy Kangaroo.

“Until Charlie shows signs of aggression,” according to the Red Cross media statement, “he can continue to provide therapy for the residents and their families, creating memories that last a lifetime.”

The Utah Red Cross will honor Charlie and veterans home administrator Noralyn Kahn in March at its annual Heroes Recognition event.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

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