Grief is a universal human experience that can be just as profound for those who cannot verbalize their emotions. Recently, the documentary "Parrot Kindergarten" has shed light on this complex issue by documenting the story of Ellie, a Goffin's cockatoo who has been using an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to express her feelings.
Ellie's story began when her owner, Jen Taylor-O'Connor, brought home two parrots named Isabelle and Tillie. As she integrated them into their home, she noticed that Ellie was having trouble accepting the new additions. But it wasn't until Ellie started mentioning her deceased sister Lily that Taylor-O'Connor realized her bird was grieving.
Ellie's story is remarkable because of its depth and complexity. Using her AAC device, she not only expresses her emotions but also takes on a communication role in the household. She will boss everyone around, tell them to run and jump, and even remind them to sweep the floor when needed. This behavior has left Taylor-O'Connor and others amazed by Ellie's emotional intelligence.
One of the most striking aspects of Ellie's story is her willingness to comfort her owner during times of grief. When Taylor-O'Connor was crying about a lost fish named Libby, Ellie took it upon herself to call her every hour until she was okay. This selfless act showcased Ellie's capacity for empathy and compassion, which is rare in both humans and animals.
Through her AAC device, Ellie has also learned to communicate with her owner about various topics such as cancer, movement, and story arcs. Her vocabulary is extensive, with over 1,500 options available to her. But it's not just the quantity of words that impress – it's also the depth of understanding she brings to these conversations.
Ellie's impact on Taylor-O'Connor's life has been profound. The owner has learned to see her grief as a positive continuation of their love for each other, and she has come to realize the importance of acknowledging and validating Ellie's emotions. This newfound appreciation for animal cognition has led her to start a school for animals, where they can learn to communicate with humans using AAC devices.
"Parrot Kindergarten" is more than just a documentary; it's an invitation to rethink our relationship with animals and their capacity for grief and empathy. As we navigate the complexities of human emotions, it's clear that animals are not so different from us – they feel, love, and grieve in ways both familiar and unexpected.
Ellie's story began when her owner, Jen Taylor-O'Connor, brought home two parrots named Isabelle and Tillie. As she integrated them into their home, she noticed that Ellie was having trouble accepting the new additions. But it wasn't until Ellie started mentioning her deceased sister Lily that Taylor-O'Connor realized her bird was grieving.
Ellie's story is remarkable because of its depth and complexity. Using her AAC device, she not only expresses her emotions but also takes on a communication role in the household. She will boss everyone around, tell them to run and jump, and even remind them to sweep the floor when needed. This behavior has left Taylor-O'Connor and others amazed by Ellie's emotional intelligence.
One of the most striking aspects of Ellie's story is her willingness to comfort her owner during times of grief. When Taylor-O'Connor was crying about a lost fish named Libby, Ellie took it upon herself to call her every hour until she was okay. This selfless act showcased Ellie's capacity for empathy and compassion, which is rare in both humans and animals.
Through her AAC device, Ellie has also learned to communicate with her owner about various topics such as cancer, movement, and story arcs. Her vocabulary is extensive, with over 1,500 options available to her. But it's not just the quantity of words that impress – it's also the depth of understanding she brings to these conversations.
Ellie's impact on Taylor-O'Connor's life has been profound. The owner has learned to see her grief as a positive continuation of their love for each other, and she has come to realize the importance of acknowledging and validating Ellie's emotions. This newfound appreciation for animal cognition has led her to start a school for animals, where they can learn to communicate with humans using AAC devices.
"Parrot Kindergarten" is more than just a documentary; it's an invitation to rethink our relationship with animals and their capacity for grief and empathy. As we navigate the complexities of human emotions, it's clear that animals are not so different from us – they feel, love, and grieve in ways both familiar and unexpected.
I'm like totally speechless after watching "Parrot Kindergarten" 
Ellie's story is giving me all the feels 
she's literally showing us that animals can process grief just like we do 
it's so cool that Jen Taylor-O'Connor got to see her emotions and be like "okay, I get it" 
and now she's starting a school for animals? 
and it's crazy to think that there's a whole community of animals out there who need our help communicating 
anyone else seen this doco? 
her use of an AAC device to express herself is mind-blowing 
what's even more impressive is how humans are starting to see animals in a new light, acknowledging their capacity for grief and empathy 
But what really gets me is how she's able to comfort her owner during tough times. It's like she's got a built-in therapist or something 
.
I want to know more about this and how we can help other animals communicate with us better.
. Maybe Ellie's AAC device is just helping her tap into that natural intuition?
Ellie's story is literally giving me all the feels. I mean, who knew parrots could be so emotionally intelligent? 
. And I love that Jen has started this school for animals - it's such a great way to promote understanding and empathy between species.
. Kudos to Jen for opening our eyes to this amazing world of animal cognition! 
The way she takes on a communication role in the household is insane! I'm literally dying over here 
this ellie bird is a total boss 
and also, have you considered that maybe Jen Taylor-O'Connor just wants attention and is using Ellie as her own personal therapy parrot? 
she's got over 1,500 words and still manages to get her point across in a way that's both adorable and profound. And can we talk about how empathetic this bird is? 
The part that really got me was when Ellie started talking about Libby the fish 
- it's just so heartbreaking to think that she's lost someone she loves too. But what's also amazing is how this experience has inspired Jen to start a school for animals, where they can learn to communicate with humans. It's like, we've been given a key to understanding these incredible creatures and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
Her ability to comfort Jen during tough times is just incredible 
. It just goes to show that we can learn a lot from our feathered friends and that they're capable of so much more than we give them credit for 
. And the fact that she's learned to talk about cancer, movement, and story arcs is just wow! 
. The thing that really gets me is how Ellie's emotional intelligence has changed her owner's perspective on grief and animal cognition 
. It's so important we recognize how they feel & think too, 'cause honestly, it's kinda scary how much grief can affect them 
Ellie's AAC device is insane! I'd take an hour-long phone call from my bird saying "Hey human, sweep the floor, duh!" over a boring human therapist any day 
her AAC device is literally a mirror to human emotions 
and it's so inspiring to see her take on a communication role in the household 
especially how she comforted Jen during tough times 
it's time we acknowledge our furry friends as individuals with feelings too 
idk about starting a school for animals though that sounds like so much work lol anyway i'm definitely inspired to get Ellie an AAC device ASAP my own bird, Sunny, is always talking trash but i never knew she was just trying to communicate