American Eagle Foundation Will Remove Therapy Eagle
A therapy bald eagle stationed in Morgantown for 11 years faces relocation by the end of 2026.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Birds
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The American Eagle Foundation will remove a therapy bald eagle from West Virginia by the end of 2026 as it phases out its sub-permittee program. The bird has provided therapy services at the Louis A. Johnson Veteran's Administration Hospital for over a decade.
Why it matters
The removal follows an administrative decision by the American Eagle Foundation to end its long-standing sub-permittee program under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This shift impacts specialized animal-assisted therapy services currently provided to local veterans.
The therapy eagle has served the community for 11 years. Its current federal permit for exhibition and service remains valid through March 2029.
The players
American Eagle Foundation
This organization is a non-profit dedicated to the protection and preservation of the bald eagle through conservation and education.
Jo Santiago
She is the longtime handler who has worked with the therapy eagle during its tenure in West Virginia.
Louis A. Johnson Veteran's Administration Hospital
This medical facility provides healthcare services to veterans and has served as the primary site for the eagle's therapy visits.
Shelley Moore Capito
She is a U.S. Senator from West Virginia who has been petitioned to intervene in the potential removal of the therapy bird.
The details
Handler Jo Santiago is currently fighting the organization's plan by circulating an online petition and seeking intervention from U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito. The foundation is moving to recall the eagle as it terminates participation in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eagle Exhibition Program.
Timeline
The eagle began its therapy work in West Virginia 11 years ago.
The American Eagle Foundation plans to remove the bird by the end of 2026.
The current federal permit for the eagle expires in March 2029.
Culture Shift
This move highlights the evolving regulatory environment governing the use of protected wildlife in public service roles. The foundation's decision reflects a broader trend toward stricter compliance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eagle Exhibition Program protocols.
Patients and staff at the Louis A. Johnson Veteran's Administration Hospital may lose access to the long-standing therapy program by the end of 2026. Residents supporting the bird's stay are currently participating in advocacy efforts to influence the foundation's administrative timeline.
The takeaway
The planned removal underscores how private organizational policy can significantly alter established community therapy programs. Supporters and stakeholders should monitor the status of the federal permit and ongoing advocacy efforts through 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local wildlife issues in our Birds section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WAJR.
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Should therapy animals remain with their handlers if administrative policies change?
