Darin Welker, 36, needed back surgery after he left Iraq in 2005. The Department of Veteran Affairs agreed to pay for that. But the government office balked at the notion of physical therapy or mental health counseling. Welker took to raising ducklings — 14 of them — and they’ve been helping ward off depression and post-traumatic stress disorder ever since.
The Coshocton Tribune writes that Welker’s town of West Lafayette, which rests about 80 miles east of Columbus, banned the keeping of waterfowl and farm animals in 2010. There’s no consideration in the ordinance for therapy ducks. As such, Welker was slapped with a minor misdemeanor citation and a possible $150 fine.
“They’re quite a relaxing animal, and they help comfort me in different situations,” he said. “(Watching them) keeps you entertained for hours at a time.”
He added that the ducks provide both physical and mental therapy for him each day.
Welker will appear in court on Wednesday.
This article appears in Jul 16-22, 2014.
36 years old and crippled by back problems, depression and PTSD, suffered as he served our country. If the ducks make him feel better, then it’s surely worth it.
Thank you for your service, Mr. Welker.
He served our country, and was injured doing so. Let the man enjoy the ducks, he deserves at least that. Jeez.
Therapy ducks, huh? Further proof that different things work for different people. Hopefully he gets to keep them, and the judge isn’t a quack!