Therapy dogs bring a lot of joy into the hospitals, nursing homes and schools that they visit. Dogs such as Anastasia, a 3-year-old Rottweiler, and Sebastian, a 7-month-old dogue de Bordeaux, make people smile, especially when they are dressed in clothes and costumes.

But a therapy bird?

Meet Kiwi, a 17-year-old African red-bellied parrot who is the little sidekick of Anastasia and Sebastian. They are the stars of the Three Rivers Hospice and Family Home Health Services Pet Therapy Program.

"When I got Kiwi 16 years ago, my mother was in a nursing home and I visited her every day," said Nancy Debb of Duquesne.

She didn't want to leave the bird home alone, so she took Kiwi with her. The nursing home residents were thrilled.

"Most people had never touched a bird," Ms. Debb said.

I met Kiwi, Anastasia and Sebastian when they visited 22 members of Daisy Troop 650, Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania, at a meeting in Brentwood Presbyterian Church.

The 5- and 6-year-old Daisies were enthralled with big black and tan Anastasia. They especially liked her bright blue toenail polish and her costume: blue head bow, blue shirt and blue miniskirt.

"She wears a girls size 7, and she has a whole closet full of clothes," said Laura Sokolovic, Three Rivers director of public relations and pet therapy.

Anastasia and Sebastian live with Ms. Sokolovic in her Whitehall home and come to work with her in the North Versailles office of Three Rivers Hospice.

While Anastasia is a certified therapy dog, Sebastian is still in training because he's just a puppy. But with the Daisies, he comported himself nicely and looked fetching with his white boat captain's hat and black-and-white bandanna. Sebastian, by the way, is the same breed as the dog in the 1989 "Turner and Hooch" movie, starring Tom Hanks.

Anastasia, with age and experience on her side, had some tricks up her "sleeve." On command she gave "kisses" and "high fives" to each of the children. When the Daisies sang "Happy Birthday" to six birthday girls, Anastasia howled and sang, pretty much in tune with the little girls.

And then the girls saw Kiwi, who had been cuddled inside Ms. Debb's jacket. Kiwi lay calmly on her back, on the palm of her hand.

She's not one of those big parrots that you see on the shoulders of storybook pirates. Kiwi, who is not much bigger than a parakeet, was happy to hop up onto the finger or shoulder of any little girl who wanted to pet her.

"Approach a bird slow and easy just like you do with a dog," Ms. Debb explained.

While the Scouts had fun playing with the dogs and the bird, there was an educational component to the visit. The girls learned how to be safe around dogs.

"Never approach a dog unless you ask the owner's permission," Ms. Sokolovic said. "Don't run around dogs, unless it's your own pet. It's their instinct to chase you" and that could lead to a bite.

"Don't approach a dog too fast. They could think you want to hurt them or their owner. Always pet from underneath the chin" rather than over the head or behind the ears. "Let them sniff your hands and get used to you."

Anastasia, Sebastian and Kiwi visit Three Rivers clients in their own homes and in hospitals and nursing homes. They also make visits to outside facilities and groups, like the Scouts in Brentwood. There is no charge for their visits, but donations are appreciated.

For more information call Ms. Sokolovic at 1-800-282-0306.

Animal Friends is taking appointments for low-cost neuter surgeries for cats, rabbits and pit bulls in observance of National Spay Day, which is Feb. 23.

On Nickel Neuter Day, Feb. 23, male cats will be neutered for 5 cents. Rabbit Day, Feb. 24, is "sold out" but the shelter is taking appointments for other dates to spay or neuter male and female rabbits for $20. On Pit Bull Day, Feb. 25, dogs of that breed will be spayed or neutered and vaccinated for rabies for $20. On Feral Friday, Feb. 26, feral cats can be spayed or neutered and vaccinated against rabies for $20.

Call 1-800-SPAY PGH to make an appointment.

The Ohio Township shelter is hosting a Spay-ghetti Lunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 23. The menu is garden salad, lasagna (meat or vegetarian), Italian bread and chocolate chip cookie.

Cost is a $15 donation for a sit-down meal or take-out. For an extra $3 meals will be delivered to locations near the shelter on Camp Horne Road. An RSVP by Feb 22 would be appreciated -- call 412-847-7055 -- but walk-ins are welcome.