How Llamas and Alpacas Became Airport Therapy Animals at Portland International
You’re trudging through the terminal, maybe stressed about a connection or dreading the flight ahead, and then you see it: a 450-pound llama dressed as a pirate, standing nearly six feet tall, waiting for a hug.
This is a real thing that happens at Portland International Airport.
How the Program Works
Since 2023, therapy llamas and alpacas from Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas, a Washington nonprofit based in Ridgefield, have been visiting PDX about once a month. Each visit lasts roughly an hour and a half, with handlers accompanying the costumed animals through terminal and entrance areas.
Passengers can pet and hug the animals. They can also opt for what’s called a “carrot kiss” — feeding a carrot to a llama by hand or by mouth. And yes, each animal comes with its own collectible trading card.
“PDX is known for doing things differently, and the llamas and alpacas – with their gentle nature and quirky personalities – have reached icon status in the airport, beloved by all,” Molly Prescott, an airport spokesperson, told USA TODAY.
“There’s nothing quite like the delight and surprise you’ll see on people’s faces when they encounter the llamas and alpacas for the first time,” Prescott added.
The animals show up dressed in themed costumes — think pirates, cowboys and other outfits — standing up to roughly six feet tall and weighing up to approximately 450 pounds.
More Than a Photo Op
The visits might look lighthearted, but the program serves a deeper purpose: reducing stress and anxiety for travelers. Lori Gregory, owner of Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas, told USA TODAY that the work is about much more than fun encounters.
“The whole purpose of the therapy is to help with anxiety and de-stress, so I’m always watchful,” Gregory said.
“We get quite a few people traveling for not-fun reasons, they’re going to visit their loved one for the last time, or they’re going to a funeral or you know, things that are hard. We always try to watch for those people to give them extra time with the animal and just express our love and care.”
How a School Project Turned Into a Therapy Llama Nonprofit
The Gregory family was first introduced to llamas through a school program. Their first llama was named Shania, after Shania Twain.
“We decided to join that to learn about these animals and just fell in love,” Gregory told USA TODAY.
Shania’s sweet personality inspired the family to pursue therapy work with the animals, eventually building the nonprofit that now brings comfort to airport travelers.
Meet Rojo, the Llama Who Acts Like a Dog
Among the program’s notable animals is Rojo, a llama purchased in 2002 who weighs roughly 350 to 400 pounds. Gregory described Rojo as gentle, people-friendly and distinctly “doglike” in personality.
Rojo “never grew out of that doglike personality and people-friendly personality,” Gregory said. The llama has participated in parades, fairs and public events, drawing strong engagement from crowds and appearing to enjoy the attention.
Llamas are one of the oldest domesticated animals, and llama shows are held across the U.S., from California to Georgia. But few llamas have a gig quite like this one — greeting thousands of travelers in a busy airport terminal while dressed in a cowboy hat.
If you’re flying through PDX and spot a llama, don’t forget to grab the trading card.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
