A: To be a Therian is to identify as a non-human animal. Therians usually notice something about them that is not quite human and is more animal-like.

Therians generally lead normal lives, but understanding the animal side of us, helps us understand ourselves and manage stress. We do not know what causes therianthropy, but it is not a belief or religion. Most of us feel like we were born this way. Therians are of all corners of the world and walks of life.

A: No. Therianthropy need not and usually does not affect or alter one's religious or spiritual bearing.

While some therians do attribute their identity to spiritual reasons, therianthropy in itself is not spiritual or religious and, in fact, many therians continue to worship and maintain their religious beliefs past the point of discovering their non-human identities.

A: Most therians discover or try on their therian identity around the ages 10 to 16, if they have a chance to learn about therianthropy. Some people only learn about therianthropy later in life.

A: It is common for young teens to explore who they are and where they belong in the world, through trying on different identities. Some try on a therian identity, but then move on.

A rare few however find that being Therian is something they've always been inside and is something that defines them. For them, this is more than just a phase.

A: No. Therianthropy is an identity phenomenon that causes no distress to those who exhibit it and therefore is not disabling, limiting or otherwise harmful to your child. One somewhat common trait amongst therians is the feeling of species dysphoria, which is a feeling that their body, environment or way of living is something other than what it should be has the potential of being distressful but these feelings are usually fleeting and can often be resolved or alleviated by minor changes in environmental factors.

While species dysphoria is common, it should be noted that not all therians experience it. The best way to mitigate feelings of species dysphoria is to talk with your child about what they feel and what improvements could be made, if any.

A: Most certainly not. Therians come from all walks of life and some of us have lived very rich and fulfilling lives. We are doctors, nurses, teachers, military, working professionals, and honor students, to name a few.

By no means will therianthropy inhibit your child's growth or development in any shape, form or fashion.

A: The best thing to do is to talk with your child and ask them. They may have a preference to run outside or visit wooded areas or go swimming but these are all things that can be incorporated into most family's lives. As far as needs go, the most paramount need that a therian child has is for parents who are willing to communicate with them and try to understand and accept them for who and what they are.

A: No. Therianthropy is a species identity phenomenon and should not be confused with gender or sexual orientation issues.

A: Many therians who are old enough to do so, have children. It is a personal decision that therianthropy has no bearing on.

Partners are generally accepting of one's therianthropy once they understand what it is. As your child gets older, their desire to show off their therianthropy might fade, therefore some therians simply never tell their partners that they are therians, or only do so long after the relationship has become permanent.

A: The Therian Guide community is based on an Internet forum and a chatroom, where questions can be posed and are answered. Your child must be at least 13 years old to join, otherwise they will be limited to only reading public posts and not interacting with the other members.

Most of our members are young people who are discovering their therianthropy, but there are also older members who are here to share their experience and dispel misconceptions. There is even the occasional scientist. The staff ensures that the environment is safe for young people. The community is family-like and is generally supportive.

Although the community features many young people, you are more than welcome to join yourself and ask any questions you might have.

A: We don't expect any donations from your children. The system of donations is intended to accept contributions from our older members who have jobs, and is used to reward the more active contributors in our community, by giving them some control over the funds.

We support many animal-related charities. Your child may gain access to physical merchandise and other goodies that we don't charge money for.