Meet the Therapy Llamas Helping Ease Airport Travel Stress in Portland International Airport
You’ve probably seen the photos circulating online: enormous llamas dressed as pirates strolling through an airport terminal while exhausted travelers lose their minds with joy. It sounds like the kind of thing the internet made up, but this one is very real — and the story behind it is better than the viral clips suggest.
Since 2023, Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas, a Washington state nonprofit based in Ridgefield, has been sending its costumed camelids into Portland International Airport about once a month. Each visit lasts roughly an hour and a half, with handlers guiding the animals through terminal and entrance areas while passengers pet, hug and yes, kiss them.
About that kissing part: it’s called a “carrot kiss,” and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Travelers can feed a llama a carrot by hand — or by mouth. Each animal also comes with a collectible trading card, which is the kind of delightful detail that makes this whole operation feel like it was designed specifically to break the internet.
These Are Not Small Animals
If you’re picturing something cute and pocket-sized, recalibrate. These llamas stand up to roughly 6 feet tall and weigh up to approximately 450 pounds. And they show up in full costume — think pirates, cowboys and other themed outfits. The visual of a 450-pound llama in a pirate hat wandering past a Starbucks kiosk is, apparently, just a normal Tuesday at PDX.
“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,” airport spokesperson Molly Prescott 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 Part Nobody Talks About
The shareable moments are fun, but owner Lori Gregory says the real purpose runs deeper than photo ops. The program exists to reduce stress and anxiety for travelers — and not every traveler is headed somewhere happy.
“The whole purpose of the therapy is to help with anxiety and de-stress, so I’m always watchful,” Gregory told USA TODAY. “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 It All Started
Gregory’s family was first introduced to llamas through a school program. Their first llama was named Shania — after Shania Twain — and her sweet personality inspired the therapy work that eventually became the nonprofit.
“We decided to join that to learn about these animals and just fell in love,” Gregory told USA TODAY.
Then there’s Rojo, a therapy llama purchased in 2002 who weighs roughly 350 to 400 pounds and is described as gentle, “doglike” and people-friendly. Gregory said Rojo “never grew out of that doglike personality and people-friendly personality.” The llama has appeared at parades and fairs, thriving on public attention.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
