Meet Ra Martinez, a 12 year-old and local middle school student with a unique hobby to keep him busy during the pandemic.

Ra has a particular affection for all animals, but especially birds.

"They just help me feel like I'm flying with them, but I'm on the ground," said Martinez.

He gets it from his father Tyreese. Familiar with these homing pigeons for more than 40 years, Tyreese is passing down his unique hobby to his son.

"It kept me out of trouble; it kept me out of problems," said Tyreese Pressley.

Caring for homing pigeons taught Tyreese a lot of responsibility growing up. Now, he's teaching his son that same life lesson. But for Ra, raising pigeons helps him with his autism.

"It's helping him with his education; no more outbursts, you know what I'm saying? It's helped him a whole lot," said Tyreese.

The pigeon releases aren't only encouraging Ra, but also front line workers.

"It makes them feel better, and it makes me feel better that I explain to them how homing pigeons are just a thing from your heart. And it's a good thing for Mother Nature," said Martinez.

Ra and his family have done releases for emergency workers, local officials, and businesses.