MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A federal agency has threatened to take a bald eagle from West Virginia that has been a therapy animal for military veterans for the last 11 years.
The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) has announced plans to phase out the sub-permittee program under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Eagle Exhibition Program.
Handler Jo Santiago said 11 years ago she was a motivational speaker for the State Department of Workforce Development. As a wildlife biologist with experience when it comes to birds of prey, she learned it is very impactful to bring Freedom to meet with veterans as therapy. She said unless something changes, the AEF plans to remove Freedom from West Virginia at the end of the year.
“Right now, I am a sub-permittee under the American Eagle Foundation, and the foundation wants him back,” Santiago said Friday on WAJR’s “Talk of the Town.” “He’s been with me for 11 years serving veterans.”
Santiago describes Freedom as an “unreleasable wounded warrior” that she has cared for over the last 11 years. She frequently brings Freedom for events at the Louis A. Johnson Veteran’s Administration Hospital, where many male and female veterans are left in awe of the experience. Over the last 11 years the relationship between Freedom, Jo, and the veterans has grown, and the symbol of our nation has become a familiar motivating fixture in their recovery.
“We were made to work with veterans because the birds I work with are warrior birds, and they are wounded permanently, wounded warriors,” Santiago said. “So, I said I would bring my wounded warrior to meet your wounded warrior.”
During events when veterans or people meet Freedom, it’s always a powerful experience, according to Santiago. She said the visits uplift and give hope to veterans suffering from PTSD and addiction.
“After the presentation one of the veterans told me I didn’t know what you just did for us,” Santiago said. “And I explained it’s the other way around, and now you need to tell me what I can do for you.”
The USFWS-approved permit she brought to the studio is good through 2029, but she said the AEF plans to take the bird by the end of the year. There is an online petition, and she urges people to contact U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito to call for action to keep Freedom in West Virginia like she has.
“That is not the case,” Santiago said. “I have my permit here that still has sub-permittees on it and it is good until March of 2029—this is just a management decision.”
The AEF is a collaborative agency with the USFWS, and she doesn’t believe the agencies are united in this effort. She described the AEF action as an administrative decision and pointed out the importance of keeping Freedom. Santiago said studies have shown that changing the handler or environment can be damaging and even fatal for birds like Freedom.
“Under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service holds all authority over these birds under permit,” Santiago said. “The final say as to what happens to Freedom is up to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”