Virginia Cockatoo's Sight Restored, Becomes Therapy Bird and Wins Pet of the Year
A Virginia cockatoo named Boo, who spent nearly a decade blind, has had his sight restored through a revolutionary surgery. Boo, a 41-year-old umbrella cockatoo, was previously blind and neglected, living in poor conditions. After a life-changing surgery at North Carolina State University’s veterinary school, Boo regained his sight and became a certified therapy bird. He now comforts children, seniors, hospital patients, and people with disabilities. Boo's journey has been recognized nationally, as he raised a record-breaking $33,674 to be named Pet Partners’ 2026 Pet of the Year, the first bird to earn this title. Boo's handler, Amy Hurst, who is a breast cancer survivor, has developed a strong bond with Boo, leading to the creation of the Prism Bird Program, which pairs companion birds with neurodivergent children.