Month: May 2026

By Jarah Wright

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    LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A man with ties to an illegal biolab in Las Vegas has been found guilty of charges associated with another illegal biolab in California.

After a two-week trial, Jia Bei Zhu, a Chinese national, was found guilty of fraudulently selling more than a million COVID tests for nearly $4 million through his Fresno-based company Universal Meditech Inc.

Zhu was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, eight counts of substantive wire fraud, two counts of distributing adulterated and misbranded medical devices, and one count of making a false statement to the FDA.

His partner, Zhaoyan Wang, has also been charged in case and fled the United States shortly before Zhu’s arrest. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Wang “remains a fugitive from justice in China.”

Trial evidence showed Zhu and Wang hired inexperienced employees, like cellphone salespeople, supermarket workers and childcare workers, who “would not ask any questions.” Some of the employees were hired through the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, which is a public organization that helps find jobs for unskilled workers and provides significant subsidies to employers that hire them, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Investigators state that between August 2020 and March 2023, Zhu, Wang and others at UMI conspired with each other to import faulty COVID tests from China and then sell them to customers based on several false representations, including the tests were authorized by the FDA, were made in the U.S., were made in connection with a certified medical lab, and worked.

Several employees testified saying they knew what they were doing was wrong, but went through it because they did not want to lose their jobs and were afraid that Zhu would physically hurt them. Victims also testified stating the tests they received were missing basic parts and could not detect COVID.

It was a victim’s civil lawsuit against UMI that led to a court-ordered inspection of UMI’s Fresno facility. That inspection showed UMI “lacked the ability to manufacture COVID tests and that it was nothing more than an unsanitary warehouse that was far below established quality standards for facilities that house medical devices.”

One example is inspectors found multiple fridges with pathogens and toxins in juice, soda, and other inappropriate containers.

Inspectors also found hundreds of boxes of COVID tests from China.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Zhu tried to escape the civil lawsuit against UMI by moving from Fresno to Reedley and changing the name of the company to Prestige Biotech Inc. However, that attracted the attention of the FDA, which began its own investigation.

Investigators from the FDA and CDC met with Zhu in May 2023 and he claimed to be another person, Qiang “David” He, who had recently come to the United States from China on an asylum application.

Evidence shown during the trial showed Zhu was previously an executive at a company called IND in Canada in the early 2000s, and that IND had gotten in trouble with the Canadian equivalent of the FDA for misconduct like this case. Investigators say Zhu came to the United States unlawfully and founded UMI shortly after.

Zhu also has ties to the illegal biolab that was found in Las Vegas earlier this year.

Clark County property records show the home where the lab was found, near Sugar Springs Drive and Temple View, is registered to David Destiny Discovery, LLC, which is a business registered through the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office to David He, which is one of Zhu’s aliases.

Investigators say they were tipped off by someone who worked at the home.

That source identified Ori Solomon as the property manager.

Solomon is an Israeli citizen in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa and is not allowed to possess firearms. Several weapons were seized from his home, according to an affidavit obtained by Channel 13.

Las Vegas police say the lab was primarily located inside a locked garage within the house. More than 1,000 samples were collected and stored safely at the Southern Nevada Health District laboratory before they were sent to the National Bioforensic Analysis Center in Maryland for testing.

In March, the FBI revealed what some of the materials recovered inside the home were.

In a statement to Channel 13, FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Christopher Delzotto said most of the items recovered are consistent with components used to develop medical diagnostic test kits.

Investigators also found “components you would find in the Influenza A & B vaccines” and “older influenza samples; however, full genetic sequencing confirmed they were not new or engineered variants and there is no indication of an ongoing threat to public health at this time.”

According to investigators, materials stored at the Sugar Springs garage may have been leftover from Zhu’s activities in Reedley.

“Based on the totality of the investigation, there are no legitimate reasons for maintaining these types of biological materials within a private residence, or in the manner in which they were stored,” Delzotto stated.

As for what happens next, Clark County District Court records show Solomon has been charged with one count of disposing or discharging hazardous waste. Court records show the next hearing in that case is on June 4.

Zhu is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on Aug. 24.

He is facing up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge and each of the wire fraud charges, three years in prison for each of the distribution of adulterated and misbranded medical device charges, and five years in prison for the false statements charge.

The illegal biolabs being discovered prompted biosecurity concerns from both law enforcement and lawmakers.

California Congressman Jim Costa has proposed the bipartisan “Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act.” That piece of legislation aims to close regulatory blind spots, strengthen federal oversight, and provide state and local officials with the resources needed to detect and dismantle illegal biolabs.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Bob Evans

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    BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah (KSTU) — Kevin O’Leary, an investor in the proposed 40,000- acre Stratos data center campus in Box Elder County, accused two Utah groups opposing the project of being funded by the Chinese government.

O’Leary made the accusation on Fox News, targeting Alliance for a Better Utah and Elevate Strategies.

“Who would want us to stop building our electrical grid? Who would want to stop us from having compute capacity to develop AI? Which adversary would want that? There’s only one. It’s China.” O’Leary said.

In a social media exchange, Gabi Finlayson of Elevate Strategies pushed back on the claim.

“If we were Chinese operatives, we would be the worst operatives in the entire world. Someone alert Beijing that the payment portal to Jackie and I’s Amex bills is somehow broken,” Finlayson said.

Elizabeth Hutchings of Alliance for a Better Utah also denied the accusation.

When asked by FOX 13 News Anchor Bob Evans if Alliance for a Better Utah is funded by the Chinese government, Hutchings said, “No. I, would probably get paid a lot more if I was. I would hope if I were doing some foreign international espionage, but no, we are not. We’re funded by a lot of grassroots donors, and a lot of people from around Utah that believe in what we do, and that’s as simple as that.” Hutchings said.

In the social media exchange Finlayson and colleague Jackie Morgan responded directly to O’Leary.

“You know, it’s not every day you get called out by first and last name on Fox News by a Canadian billionaire trying to ruin my state, but here we are. Kevin, are you OK? But after sitting with this for a moment, we decided to take it as a compliment because first of all, how are these men scared of us? Have you met us?” Finlayson said.

O’Leary responded by doubling down on his call for financial transparency.

“What are we — talking about? I want a forensic auditor who’s funding their platforms. Who is it? So these are proxies for the Chinese government is my argument. And if they’re not, because I want them to be able to defend their name to Gabby, come out, come out wherever you are.” O’Leary said.

Responding to O’Leary’s transparency argument, Finlayson and Morgan said, “We’re just saying we should maybe look into people that stand to make hundreds of millions of dollars off this project and let’s be so for real and so clear, that is not us. It is not us.” Finlayson said.

O’Leary continued to press the issue.

“And they should thank me for this promotion I’m giving them right now. And let’s shine the light of transparency on what you’re doing because they’re also going after the leadership in Utah itself, these two cells.” O’Leary said.

Morgan responded directly.

“Well, Kevin, you say that like it’s a scandal, and it’s not because we are damn proud of the fact that we will continue to be shining a light on the corruption and insanity that is going on in this state, not just with this project, but with many others.” Morgan said.

Alliance for a Better Utah responded online to O’Leary’s claims by posting a video on Facebook asking for donations, with Chinese-sounding music playing underneath.

O’Leary says he is putting his forensic accountants to work to determine who is funding opposition to the data center in Utah. He says the center is necessary to stay ahead of China in artificial intelligence development.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Mya Constantino

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    OGDEN, Utah (KSTU) — One Utah family is sharing their daughter’s hearing-loss journey during National Speech-Language-Hearing Month.

Four-year-old Stella Chugg was born with progressive hearing loss, meaning her hearing was expected to worsen over time.

“It’s so overwhelming and sometimes just based on what you’ve heard in your life, you might think, ‘Oh no, will she be able to live a normal life?,’” Zach Chugg, Stella’s father, said inside their home in Ogden.

Her mother, Kennedy Chugg, says that at first, their care provider believed it could have simply been fluid and hoped things would improve over time. But her condition didn’t.

Her parents noticed Stella could only hear certain things. After more tests, they learned Stella had progressive hearing loss.

Stella got her first pair of hearing aids when she was just over 2 1/2 years old. The Chugg family says the hearing aids helped, but that she needed more support.

“Everything just hit us all at once,” Zach explained. “We didn’t know a single person in the Deaf community.”

So, the Chugg family decided on a different option. In September, Stella had cochlear implant surgery. Cochlear implants are small electronic devices that help people like Stella by sending sound signals directly to the hearing nerve.

“Just the other day, it was raining, and the sound of the rain on the windows was blowing her mind,” Kennedy explained. “She had her hands on the screen, feeling the rain and the wind.”

On TikTok, Kennedy Chugg has amassed over 600,000 followers. There, she shares their day-to-day routines while navigating Stella’s condition. The Chugg family has built a space online focused on support and community.

“It’s been amazing to be able to connect to other parents with similar stories,” she said. “It’s amazing for me to see kids a little older than Stella and know that they have a super bright future as well.”

But cochlear implants aren’t the only tool available to families.

The Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers services including case management, employment help, hard-of-hearing services, budgeting classes, art classes, and ASL classes.

“Deaf individuals often feel isolated if they’re not around a lot of Deaf individuals,” Pamela Mower, who works for the center’s research and administrative team, explained through American Sign Language (ASL). “So, they’re able to come here for various activities, projects, and can socialize. The center is extremely important to us.”

Kennedy said watching her daughter grow has changed how she thinks about limits. “Seeing her just accomplish everything she loves and wants to do changed my opinion on what limitations you can set for yourself and your kids,” Kennedy said.

More information about resources and classes at the Sanderson Community Center is available at jobs.utah.gov/usor/dhh.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Dustin Dorsey

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    SANTA CLARA, California (KGO) — Part of a Santa Clara park remains closed after the discovery of rodent poison pellets that sickened a dog and raised concerns among residents.

The incident began Monday when a dog owner contacted the city after their pet ingested pellets at Jenny Strand Park, located near Apple’s headquarters.

The dog ate 14 pellets, became ill and later vomited the poison. The pet is expected to recover.

City crews responded quickly and removed the pellets, but the park remained closed Tuesday as inspections continued. Officials said they are taking extra precautions to ensure public safety.

Many residents said they were shocked and concerned about rat poison being found at Jenny Strand Park, especially given the number of children and dogs who visit daily.

“Definitely something that’s surprising and irritating,” resident Xiayun Zhang said.

City spokesperson Janine De La Vega said crews conducted thorough sweeps of the park and expanded their inspections citywide.

“This is obviously very concerning – pets are family members,” De La Vega said. “(Crews) inspected and picked up all the pellets off the ground, and they kept doing checks today. They are going around to all city parks and inspecting and doing a thorough check to make sure no pellets are at any of our parks.”

De La Vega emphasized that the city does not use poison to control pests in parks, noting those areas are heavily used by children, families and pets.

The park saw fewer visitors Tuesday following news of the incident, as some families chose to stay away.

“We spend a lot of time in our local park. And my daughter, she loves to explore the whole park. And I’m afraid she could put something very colorful and very attractive into her mouth, and that could be very scary to me,” resident Ivy Liang said.

Authorities have not said when the park will reopen, noting the decision will depend on when police determine the area is safe.

Residents said the incident has heightened their vigilance.

“I’m very sad to hear about this surprising news about poisonous pellets here. That’s very dangerous to kids as well,” Zhang said. “Hopefully we can figure out who did this and potentially prevent them from doing further things like this.”

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to contact city staff.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Adam Mintzer

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    SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (KNXV) — Arizona has gained an international reputation as a factory for UFC talent, and one Scottsdale fighter is using the Valley’s training culture to chase the sport’s biggest stage — while also navigating the increasingly political world of combat sports.

Eitan Kagan, an American-Israeli MMA fighter, was born in the United States but spent most of his life in Israel. A few years ago, he returned stateside, a move he says was necessary to reach the highest level of the sport.

the state’s training culture to chase a UFC title fight Screenshot 2026-05-12 at 10.52.36 AM.png Photo by: KNXV Tough, hungry, resilient: How Arizona became the proving ground for the next UFC champions Screenshot 2026-05-12 at 10.52.36 AM.png By: Adam Mintzer Posted 7:44 AM, May 13, 2026 and last updated 10:00 AM, May 13, 2026 SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Arizona has gained an international reputation as a factory for UFC talent, and one Scottsdale fighter is using the Valley’s training culture to chase the sport’s biggest stage — while also navigating the increasingly political world of combat sports.

Eitan Kagan, an American-Israeli MMA fighter, was born in the United States but spent most of his life in Israel. A few years ago, he returned stateside, a move he says was necessary to reach the highest level of the sport.

“I always wanted to be the best in the world at something. So if I could do that, I’ve had a dream to be in the UFC. So if I could do that, I’m going to shoot my shot,” Kagan said.

Training in Arizona has put Kagan alongside elite competition every day.

“Being here, being surrounded by fighters, by UFC guys, by Bellator champions, whatever it is, brings you closer. Iron sharpener sharpens iron,” Kagan said.

That environment is no accident. Joel Lopez, owner of RUF MMA, has built his Arizona-based promotion into a proving ground for fighters chasing a Las Vegas main event.

“We want to create true champions on and off the cage,” Lopez said.

Lopez says the road to a Vegas main event runs directly through the Valley.

“We’re like the provinces in The Gladiator movie… It’s close enough for the Vegas fighters to come here,” Lopez said.

But Lopez says Arizona’s dominance in the sport goes beyond its proximity to Las Vegas or the talent pipeline flowing from Arizona State University’s wrestling program and area boxing and jiu-jitsu gyms. He says the desert heat itself forges champions.

“Fighters in the state are tough. They’re hungry and very resilient,” Lopez said.

More fighters in the state also means more fights — and more time in front of crowds. That exposure introduces athletes to another dimension of the sport: politics.

Kyle Green, who studies the intersection of UFC and politics at SUNY Brockport, says combat sports have moved to the right over the past decade, in part due to President Trump’s close relationship with UFC CEO Dana White. Trump is even hosting a bout on the White House lawn in June.

“It’s a stage where we get to see all these tensions that exist in society play out, and they’re often very magnified. And in combat sports, it’s less subtle,” Green said.

But Green says that doesn’t mean the fighting fanbase all shares the same views.

“Gyms become places where fighters and coaches speak out on these issues. It can divide communities,” Green said.

That division played out after Kagan’s latest title fight. He won — and after the victory, he wrapped himself in the Israeli flag, drawing a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd.

“I think there was extra because Israel and now the whole political situation… it’s not neutral,” Kagan said.

Four years into his Arizona fighting career, Kagan knew what message he wanted to send.

“We need more love in this place. We’re all similar. We’re often the same thing. We all try to do better things like these divisions. Don’t help anyone,” Kagan said.

The UFC bout scheduled for the White House lawn is set for June 14 and will include Sean O’Malley, who trains at Red Hawk Academy in Peoria.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. KNXV verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Karina Nova and Juan Carlos Guerrero

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    DANVILLE, California (KGO) — It’s not often a lesson plan gets a whole classroom so excited that students give themselves extra work. But that’s what has been happening regularly in Sara Stinson’s science class at John Baldwin Elementary School in Danville.

The excitement revolves around Jackie and Shadow, a pair of bald eagles in Big Bear Valley. A webcam points at their nest 24 hours a day.

“When I found out about the Jackie and Shadow camera, I started watching it in all of my classes,” Stinson said.

The lives of Jackie and Shadow fit right in with Stinson’s unit on life cycles.

“We get to see the eagles set up their nest, then we get to see them lay eggs, and then we get to see the eggs hatch and the chicks grow,” Stinson said.

The webcam has been a regular part of her lesson plan for years.

Then a few months ago, she learned that the area where the eagles hunt could be developed into luxury homes, unless the San Bernardino Mountain Land Trust can raise $10 million dollars to buy the land by July 31st.

“I started sharing the information with them and they felt so passionate about it. They were like, ‘What can we do?'” Stinton said.

The students took that concern into their next class with teacher Nancy McCaul.

“They were furious that it was happening and they were like literally yelling, ‘We need to do something,'” McCaul said.

It just so happened McCaul was starting a persuasive writing unit.

“Instead of doing the normal unit, we shifted a little bit to persuade people in the community, famous people, to donate to this cause,” she said.

The letters the students wrote are being sent to people around the world, from family members of the students to social media influencers and famous singers like Taylor Swift.

“When we first heard about this news, it was very sad for us because we are worried that the thing we have been watching for years can go away,” fourth grader Evie Cook said.

The students have also been raising money on their own by doing bake sales and lemonade stands, and even making bald eagle origamis.

“They’ve been walking up and down the streets of downtown Danville with posters informing people. They have been thinking about starting a social media campaign,” McCaul said.

All this has deeply moved the group trying to save the area, known as Moon Camp.

“It touched my heart, tears me up,” said Jenny Voisard of Friends of Big Bear Valley.

The group has been fighting the new development near Fawnskin for 25 years.

Earlier this year, the developer gave them one final chance to buy the land for $10 million dollars, so they launched a campaign to raise the money.

“We don’t plan to do anything with it. We want to keep the trees for the flying squirrels and the eagles and everybody else. It’s the last undisturbed shoreline,” said Voisard.

The concern is not just the bald eagles. Big Bear Valley is home to rare plants like the Ash-gray Indian paintbrush and the area is considered a biodiversity hotspot.

While the development would not directly threaten the tree where Jackie and Shadow have their nest, it will impact their hunting grounds.

“Jackie and Shadow use the area extensively for perching and foraging for food. That is their chosen nesting place,” added Voisard.

So far, Friends of Big Bear Valley has raised a quarter of the $10 million dollars needed to buy the land before the July 31st deadline.

Students in Stinson’s class get daily updates on the fundraising.

“Every class, first through fifth grade, comes in and one of their first questions is how much money have we raised?” Stinson said.

Voisard says that if Friends of Big Bear Valley can’t raise the full $10 million in the next three months, the group plans to take out loans and pay the debt off with more fundraising.

“Failure is not an option,” Voisard said.

For more information on the fundraiser, go to savemooncamp.org.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Jadius McGhee

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    LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WKBT) — While most people slow down as they age, Gary Raabel is doing the opposite. At nearly 90 years old, the La Crosse man continues to prove that age is just a number through his unwavering commitment to fitness.

Raabel has made exercise a cornerstone of his life for nearly seven decades, transitioning from his military service in the Army to a dedicated routine in the weight room. His passion for fitness has only intensified with age.

“I’ve been going to the gym ever since I was 20 years old. The last 20 years, I’ve been coming to the gym now just about all the time. I just love it, you know?” Raabel said.

At Premier Fitness in La Crosse, Raabel has become something of a legend. Staff members say he stands out not just for his age, but for the intensity and dedication he brings to every workout.

“When he lifts he’s literally like a machine. He’s not your average 90-year-old. He lifts heavier than a lot of my 30-year-olds in here,” said Sally Johnson, owner of Premier Fitness & Wellness. “He really is the epitome of what you can expect to have happen to you if you stay strong and you keep moving.”

Raabel’s influence extends beyond his personal achievements. Fellow gym members say his work ethic and positive attitude have become a daily source of motivation for everyone around him.

“He is quite the motivator. We come in every day. He gets up, comes in every day. Does this workout, you know, it’s all about being healthy, a mind, body and spirit. And Gary is the epitome of all those things,” said Toni Schultz, a friend of Raabel’s at the gym.

Alvis Norman, another friend, sees Raabel’s story as inspiration for people of all ages. “It’s a story for everybody that’s either his age or trying to get to his age that you can do this if you put the effort into it,” Norman said.

For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Raabel offers straightforward advice rooted in decades of experience.

“You got to exercise to stay fit. It’s kind of hard to start when you’re in the last stage of your life. You know. But, if you do exercise, then you should just stay with it year after year,” Raabel said.

The nearly 90-year-old shows no signs of slowing down. Raabel says he plans to stay active for as long as his body will allow him to, continuing to inspire others through his remarkable dedication to health and fitness.

His story serves as a powerful reminder that maintaining an active lifestyle can lead to extraordinary results, regardless of age. At Premier Fitness, Raabel continues to redefine what it means to age gracefully while motivating others to pursue their own fitness goals.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Anser Hassan

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    FREMONT, California (KGO) — Crews spent most of the day boarding up the main entrance to Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Company, a popular Fremont coffee shop, after a breakin early Tuesday morning. It’s the fourth breakin in less than two years.

Surveillance video shows a truck smashing through the front door around 2 a.m. Two suspects entered the shop and searched for less than a minute before leaving. The owners said the suspects likely escaped with only a few dollars but caused about $20,000 in damage, which is not covered by insurance.

“Door frame is gone. Windows are gone. Doors are gone. And they took like $2,” said Hamza, a coowner of the shop, who didn’t want to use his last name over security concerns. “Unfortunately, insurance doesn’t cover things like this. It is more so for things like customer injury, liability stuff inside. So, this will have to be 100% outofpocket.”

Hamza said the business has been doing well since opening two years ago. Qamaria is the first Yemeni coffee shop in the South Bay.

“Our beans are single-sourced straight from Yemen, brought into Michigan where they are roasted, and then directly shipped to us,” Hamza said. “So, our coffee is actual real coffee – not something you can just go buy at a local store.”

Qamaria is open late at night, which is a big draw. But Hamza believes that may have also made it a target.

“People saw how busy we were, especially late night. You don’t normally see that for coffee shops. They were probably assuming we have a lot of cash on hand,” he said.

Hamza said the first break-in happened four months after the grand opening. After the third incident, the business went cashless.

“We did face a lot of backlash from the community for going cashless,” Hamza said. “And we did lose some business. But this is why we do it, right? Because if we continue to keep cash on the premises, we are just going to keep getting broken into.”

In a statement to ABC7 Eyewitness News, Fremont officials said detectives are actively investigating the case, adding: “The police department will continue to conduct directed patrol checks in the area to support safety and crime prevention.”

Hamza said Fremont police were able to identify the vehicle using a license plate reader, but the vehicle had been reported stolen.

“Even if they can get the license plate, car came back stolen. At the end of the day, there is no resolution to it. From the first to this one, there hasn’t been anything done,” he said.

Fremont officials said that even though the vehicle was stolen, it remains a piece of evidence that could help investigators track down the suspects.

Hamza said the business has already seen increased expenses due to tariffs and inflation. One option is to hire private security, but that would be another out-of-pocket cost.

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By Mike Bunge

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    MASON CITY, Iowa (KIMT) — Four chicks arrived at the IOOF Home and Community Therapy Center on Monday morning, part of a program designed to provide emotional support for elderly residents.

The chicks came from Hoover’s Hatchery, a local Iowa hatchery that has been in business since 1944. The birds will live at the facility for the next six to eight weeks while they grow their feathers and gain size.

Residents will be able to spend time near the chicks. Staff will care for them, and family members visiting loved ones will stop by the brooder.

“Having that emotional support from an animal does provide some comfort for the residents,” IOOF Spokesman Anthony Romualdo said. “Some residents don’t even have family.”

Programs placing chickens in care facilities have spread across the United States and internationally. A program called HenPower has placed chickens in more than 40 UK care homes since 2011, and Northumbria University found measurable reductions in loneliness and depression among residents.

In 2013, the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Massachusetts introduced chickens as a calming tool for residents with dementia. Similar programs have since expanded nationwide.

Experts say chickens trigger long-term memories in residents who grew up around farms. They give people a daily reason to engage through feeding, watching and collecting eggs, and they calm dementia patients in ways other animals do not.

The birds can be observed from a window, fed from a wheelchair or held in the lap. Mobility is not a barrier.

The chickens may also bring families back to visit more often. Kids love being around chicks, giving grandchildren a reason to visit more frequently.

“It’s a big draw for our facility and our residents, families and staff to bring little ones,” Romualdo said. “Anytime we have events like our Easter egg hunt or Halloween, we have kids running around here everywhere and the residents just love it.”

Hoover’s Hatchery hand-selected four breeds for IOOF Home, each chosen for personality and visual interest. The breeds include a Sapphire Gem, a New Hampshire Red, a Production Blue and a Blue Breasted Brown Leghorn.

When the chicks are ready to move outside, Hoover’s will return to install a Lean-To Easy Clean Chicken Coop. The coop is designed to make daily care easier for staff and residents.

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