Warm coats, I heart PDX necklaces and playful pompon headbands, these llamas are free to roam the premises of the Portland International Airport and make ur day fluffier!
The llamas come from Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas, a farm in Ridgefield, Washington, who run a non-profit that offers therapeutic and educational visits, with the help of their five llamas and six alpacas. Mountain Peak Therapy Llamas and Alpacas is run by a mother-daughter duo– Lori Gregory and Shannon Joy.
Llama therapy at Portland airport
Carrot Kiss
The fluffy animals can often be spotted roaming the airport concourse, enjoying petting and head scratches from travellers heading to check-in, as well as the occasional cuddle from those seeking a little comfort before boarding their flight. However, the handlers allowed people to take things to the next level with a “carrot kiss.” Travellers can hold a carrot between their lips to offer to a camelid to eat.
Rare Case
The llamas don’t perform any specific task. They just have a calming presence, offering comfort to people experiencing anxiety and other mental issues. “It’s just pure joy. Travellers’ faces say it best. Being in nature is a stress reliever," airport spokesperson Allison Ferre told NPR.
Interacting with animals can lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase the production of oxytocin, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. The llamas can help you forget the pain of separation: a rather common emotion found in individuals at the airport.
Similar case
San Francisco International Airport had adopted a similar purr-fect approach with its cat, Duke Ellington Morris, a favourite for animal therapy. Apart from calming people on the go, Duke also enjoys posing for his 15K followers on Instagram!
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