In news to excite animal lovers and intrigue nervous flyers, one US airport has come up with a novel way to provide some stress relief: therapy llamas.
Originating from South America, llamas are soft, woolly camelids, often white, black, brown or piebald in colour, with a temperament that can be social if raised in the right circumstances. Many farms and rural attractions offer contact opportunities with the creatures, such as walking experiences.
Llama therapy officers among Douglas Firs
But now, a group of five llamas and six alpacas has become a regular sight at Portland International Airport (PDX), in a move the airport has said is “just to make you smile.” With names like Beni and Captain Jack, the camelids roam the concourses, which have been newly designed to let in more daylight, and now feature living Douglas Fir trees and a more natural environment, in another move designed to enhance the passenger experience at the hub, according to spokesperson, Allison Ferre.
“Being in nature is a stress reliever,” Ferre told NPR. “The therapy animals that come in is just one way we kind of deliver on that for the traveller experience.”
Neckerchiefs and cuddles
The llama therapy team comes from Mountain Peaks Llamas and Alpacas, a Washington state farm that operates therapy and educational services as a non-profit.
“It’s just pure joy,” airport spokesperson Allison Ferre told People. “Travellers’ faces say it best.”
Raising the bar on cuteness, and to ensure the llamas are not confused with any others who happen to be at the airport, the four-legged well-being professionals even wear uniforms when on duty, including “I heart PDX” neckerchiefs and jackets, as well as pompom headwear and other items to give them an official air. They are good colleagues too, working alongside a team of emotional support dogs who also patrol the airport ready for comforting action.
Good vibes only
Unlike service animals, emotional support or therapy animals are not trained to fulfill particular tasks, such as fetching, guiding or alerting for altered states. Instead, they provide beneficial comfort to a wide range of people, including those who live with anxiety, mental health issues, stress, and other disabilities.
For those concerned about the llamas being exploited or exhausted by their role, the llamas are never worked too hard in the pursuit of good vibes. Ferre explained that they only “work” for limited durations and only animals with a natural inclination towards humans and generous tolerance for lots of petting from crowds are chosen for the task.
