Portland Airport Hires Llama and Alpaca to Calm Travelers

Imagine rounding a corner at the airport, stressed about your flight, only to come face to face with a llama wearing a therapy vest.

That's the delightful reality at Portland International Airport, where Beni the llama and Captain Jack the alpaca work as official therapy animals. Every few weeks, the duo travels from their home at Mountain Peaks Therapy farm to help travelers manage the anxiety that comes with air travel.

The numbers behind their work are significant. An estimated 40% of people have at least some fear of flying, with 2.5% experiencing a clinical phobia of air travel. But the evidence of their impact isn't just in statistics.

"My favorite response is when we are walking down to a concourse, and you have people with their blank stares just trying to make their way to luggage claim, and they turn around the corner and see a llama and their body just melts in excitement," Shannon Joy, co-owner of Mountain Peaks Therapy, told OPB.

The animals are part of PDX's recent redesign focused on bringing nature into the airport experience. Allison Ferre, a spokesperson for the Port of Portland, explained that being in nature relieves stress, and therapy animals deliver that experience to travelers.

What makes Beni and Captain Jack special is their rare temperament. Joy notes that most llamas and alpacas don't have the level of confidence and autonomy these two possess, making them perfect for busy airport environments.

Mountain Peaks Therapy started in 2007, initially visiting senior communities, disabled groups, and schools. A few years later, private party requests began rolling in. Now their animals greet travelers from around the world.

Sunny's Take

Traveler Lori Sackett captured the magic perfectly when she met the animals and was moved to tears. "I think dogs elicit the same emotion," she said. "But isn't this a million times more magnificent?"

Each animal comes with their own trading card featuring personality details, encouraging visitors to collect them while snapping photos. During busy holiday seasons, these camelids play a key role in transforming blank stares into genuine smiles.

Sometimes the best therapy comes with four legs and a very long neck.