Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #248

Submission information

Submission Number: 248

Submission ID: 9096

Submission UUID: 9e55fe9b-a742-41df-a7bb-ad1148633ef9

Submission URI: /student-research/symposium/research-symposium-program-portal

Submission Update: /student-research/symposium/research-symposium-program-portal?token=2TY48mry-8QLOetMbIli4Z9pC8cfQbU_aq6y6MPijog

Created: Mon, 02/02/2026 - 12:04 PM

Completed: Mon, 02/02/2026 - 12:35 PM

Changed: Mon, 02/02/2026 - 12:35 PM

Remote IP address: 146.201.10.13

Submitted by: Anonymous

Language: English

Is draft: No

Webform: Research Symposium Program Portal WF

Submitted to: Student Research Symposium Program Portal

Primary Student Contact First Name Courtney

Primary Student Contact Last Name Holt

Pronouns {Empty}

Primary Student Contact FSU Student Email ch25v@fsu.edu

Photo of all individuals presenting this work

Major(s) of all individuals presenting this work Public Health

Bio of all individuals presenting this work After experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during my service in the U.S. Air Force, I found myself in the comfort of raising chickens and ducks. I noticed that I would find relief from anxiety or migraines when I would spend time outdoors tending to them. This led me to my research, wondering if there had been any previous work that suggests there is correlation between decreased symptoms in TBI patients and domestic ducks. Thankfully, there had been exactly one study regarding the subject. Currently, I have 18 ducks and they bring so much joy to my family – my husband and two children. I've become very passionate with my hobby in duck husbandry as they have given me so much joy and peace. The power of a quack should never be underestimated.

Poster Title Waddles of Wellness: The Impact of Domestic Ducks in Therapeutic Environments

Abstract omestic ducks represent a promising, underexplored modality within animal-assisted and green care therapies for individuals with mental health conditions and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Drawing on narrative review data, a clinical duck-based intervention, qualitative interviews, and lived experience, this review argues that structured interaction with domesticated ducks can reduce anxiety, support emotional regulation, and foster self-efficacy in ways that complement conventional care.These findings are triangulated with case narratives of community duck owners and the author’s own longitudinal experience of symptom relief from migraines, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) through daily husbandry, outdoor engagement, and human–duck bonding.

Research Mentor Name Dr. Melinda Jay Stephenson

Research Mentor's College (or High School) FSU PC

Research Mentor's Department (or Subject) English

Research Mentor's Email mjay@pc.fsu.edu

Additional Research Mentor(s) {Empty}

Co-presenter(s) {Empty}

Keywords duck therapy, therapy ducks, ducks in therapy

Poster Session/Number {Empty}

Work Complete

Presentation Modality Face to Face Poster session

Poster PDF

Waddles of Wellness.pdf1.92 MB

Poster Thumbnail

Screenshot 2026-02-02 at 11.14.13 AM.png

I will be printing my poster No

Year 2026

Annual description 5th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 17, 2025

Update URL https://pc.fsu.edu/student-research/symposium/research-symposium-program-portal?element_parents=elements/student_photo&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=2TY48mry-8QLOetMbIli4Z9pC8cfQbU_aq6y6MPijog

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