A toddler struggling with autism finds joy in pet chickens, but his neighborhood was trying to ban chickens from being raised in backyards. As of last night, the City Council of DeBary, Florida has granted J.J. Hart and his family to keep his therapy chickens thanks to their positive effect on his lifestyle.
Here’s a little back story…
Ashleigh and Joe Hart’s 3-year-old son J.J. was once detached, didn’t speak, and had frequent temper tantrums. Even with physical, occupational, and speech therapies, J.J. was not improving and his parents began to worry.
Trying to improve their son’s quality of life, J.J.’s parents wanted to try a more natural diet for him and bought chickens for their backyard so as to add fresh eggs to their meals. With these new additions to his environment, J.J. began to form a strong bond with the chickens, running after and holding them. Around these birds, J.J. smiles and has found his own form of personal therapy.
“As unconventional as that sounds—and I know it does, because we’re not chicken people—it worked for him,” says his mother. “He’s got a great personality now. He’s got a personality we never thought we’d see.”
J.J. and his parents live in DeBary, Florida and, like many other communities, DeBary has limitations on the type of animals that can occupy residential homes, whether in or out of the house. One year ago, the Hart family asked city council to allow them to keep their chickens to which the community agreed to adopt an “Urban Chicken Pilot Program” for one year. This program allows residents to raise chickens in their backyard. However, the city decided to end the program and gave the Hart’s have until December 31 to keep their chickens.
J.J.’s mother told WFTV news yesterday, “What we’re fighting for tonight is for him to be able to keep his chickens.” J.J.’s parents truly believe that his interactions with the chickens help with his autism. “He has a set routine. He’s been able to benefit from speech with it by mimicking sound, and he’s talking so good now. It’s awesome.”
Nick Koval, a member of the DeBary Council, said, “It’s unfortunate and I sympathize, but we spend a lot of time and money establishing codes and ordinances for the protection of the citizens and taxpayers of this community. And I believe that [chickens] belong in agricultural areas.”
The city government also had members that supported the Hart’s cause, such as Mayor Bob Garcia who expressed his disappointment that the program had ended. According to The Orlando Sentinel, J.J.’s parents hired a lawyer to gain some legal perspective and decide how J.J. can keep his beloved chickens. “People can support us or they can criticize, that’s fine, but we know what we’re doing was best for our son, and we’re going to fight for him,” says mother Ashleigh Hart.
A special resolution was drafted that cites the federal and Florida Fair Housing acts—with proof provided, this can allow J.J. to keep his chickens if they enhance the quality of his life. Mother Ashleigh Hart adds, “He’s been observed with his chickens by his therapist. He has a prescription for them and we have video. I mean, we’ve done everything that they’ve asked.”
Yesterday evening, the resolution was passed, noting that “the chickens are primarily utilized for the purpose of enhancing the child’s life.” J.J.’s family fought for his happiness their efforts have paid off! J.J. can officially keep his chickens and continue to grow with them, physically and emotionally.
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