Boy with autism says emus taught him about love

In a heartwarming story from Bicester, a nine-year-old boy named Zak, who has autism, has discovered the meaning of love through his experience with emus. Zak took on the responsibility of incubating and hatching emu eggs for a local farmer, Charlie Taylor, who wanted to add these unique birds to his farm. The two emus, affectionately named Nip and Pip, now reside on the Buckinghamshire farm, and Zak feels a deep connection to them. He expressed, 'They have taught me about love and how it feels to be a parent. And you'll do anything for your children, even if it's life or death. ' This statement reflects the profound bond he has formed with the emus and how they have impacted his understanding of caring for others. Zak's mother, Claire, shared that the relationship between her son and the emus is mutual. She explained, 'They have imprinted on him. ' This means that the emus recognize Zak as a significant figure in their lives. Claire recounted a touching moment when the eggs began to rock slightly whenever Zak whistled to them, indicating that the emus were already responding to him even before they hatched. This connection highlights the special bond that can develop between animals and humans. During one of his visits to the emus, Zak was delighted when one of them gently nibbled his finger. This simple act brought him immense joy and showcased the affectionate nature of the birds. Charlie Taylor, the farm owner, mentioned that Zak had to go through a rigorous interview process before he could take care of the emus. He said, 'We've been through pretty much everything. I've passed, which is good news. ' This indicates that Zak demonstrated his commitment and readiness to take on the responsibility of caring for the emus. Claire emphasized that Zak's journey with the emus has been educational in many ways. She noted that due to his autism, Zak has special interests that help him focus and learn. While he sometimes struggles in a traditional school setting, his experience with the emus has provided him with valuable lessons. Claire explained, 'We've done maths, looking at the temperature and the humidity, we've been charting the changes in the weights, we've looked at the law about the fact that legally he is allowed to do it, all about the science of how eggs develop, we studied Australia where the emus are originally from. ' This illustrates how Zak has not only learned about the emus but has also gained knowledge in various subjects, including science, math, and geography. Through his journey with Nip and Pip, Zak has grown in many ways. He has found joy in caring for the emus and has developed a loving relationship with them. This experience has not only taught him about love but has also helped him discover more about himself and the world around him. Zak's story serves as a beautiful reminder of the powerful lessons that animals can teach us about life, love, and responsibility.