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Alpacas Provide Therapeutic Relief
By now you should understand that there are many people who think that Alpacas are just superb animals. Their fleece is absolutely one of the finest fibers in the world. Most breeders' goals are to produce the best fibre animal possible in North America. It is what alpacas are all about…the fibre!!! Alpaca fleece is luxurious, feeling just like cashmere. If you have not checked out the shearing section of this website click HERE to see what great fleece you have been missing.
But alpacas just aren't a pretty face.
I have found them to be very entertaining and will watch them for hours forgetting that chores need to be done. Garth will often come searching for me finding me gazing into the alpaca fields or pens, watching the different behaviours. I find these times very therapeutic. But there are plenty of things to do with your alpaca other than staring at them in a field while they roam, eat, roll, play and poop.
Alpacas are so gentle, curious and non-threatening they are considered excellent livestock for children and the elderly. Because of this disposition, our business plan for our farm is to incorporate specials needs into our alpaca world.
Here is Casey! Our gang thought Casey was just the greatest guy in the world. The alpacas thought Casey was very interesting and so was his tray where he had the bucket of pellets! The alpacas ate right off Casey's lap tray.
For years I have been involved in Pet Therapy or Pet Visitation using my dogs as the main attraction. This all started when I was working as a Therapeutic Recreationist at a local hospital. I organized volunteer dog groups to come in and then began bringing in my own dog. Since then, I have volunteered at nursing homes, mental institutions, hospitals and classrooms with special needs students. Each of my dogs has a different personality and each are suited to a specific clientele.
Samantha (I miss her dearly and may she rest in peace) brought many smiles to patients, visitors and staff. She was an exceptional gal who loved attention. Lucy is great. She picks out her favorite people and lets them know who they are. Winni is the gentlest dog I know when it comes to the special needs population. She is a big fluffy Australian Shepard mix (she is a rescue dog…someone decided to dump her on the Trans Canada HWY outside Winnipeg; hence the name). She enters a room with kisses to give to everyone. Spy, well he is the jack of all trades. He is both a ham providing therapeutic value with clientele as well as being a real love. He is a Border collie who can do everything. He has a severe disorder called OBS (obsessive ball syndrome) which makes him perfect for therapeutic activities. With all my dogs, we work on reminiscence, sensory and tactile integration, as well as range of motion (throwing the ball of course), gait, balance and numerous other therapeutic activities.
I really believe that animals have a calming effect on people and see the numerous physical and emotional benefits that my animals provide with each visit. Alpacas can also provide the same stimulation to people that my dogs provide.
By checking out this web site, you can see that other organizations also believe in what animals can offer any population.
Click here to visit
Ozzy is one of my alpacas that I have brought into a school to provide a relaxing environment for children with special needs. Ozzy was another rescue animal that I purchased from a petting zoo.
 He was not abused or mistreated; I just feel that he did not belong there. With any alpaca, I believe you should always use the philosophy "look ma no hands". Keep hands away from an alpaca's face, and if they allow hands on, use the backs of your hand to stroke the fine fibre on these animals. This is the most non threatening way to touch an animal.
 Ozzy was not a trusting sole when he first came to our farm. After loads of hours obtaining his trust, I started working with him. These are pictures of Ozzy in a classroom with students who have special needs. He was absolutely the perfect visitor in this classroom. Ozzy loves to have pellets! The kids just loved his soft mouth nibbling the food from their hands. Ozzy provides sensory input to these children when he visits. Walking through the school is always a chore. Though we try to be quiet, someone always notices us and we get swarmed by other students within the school.  Ozzy is calm and is very laid back for an alpaca and is so relaxed while the other students fuss over him. Not all camelids would be suitable for this type of work, but not all dogs are either. It takes that special animal to do a special job. Ozzy is indeed that very special alpaca.
While doing research on the therapeutic aspects animals do provide, I came across a special Llama by the name of Wallace who provides therapeutic visits in British Columbia.
Check out Wallace who is a therapeutic Llama who visits all sorts of facilities. You can see him preparing for his visits by clicking here.He loves visiting the kids in the hospital and I am sure he does an excellent job. Check it out by clicking
here
The owner of Wallace brings him all over, and he is just FUNtastic!
But alpacas do not only provide therapeutic value in my world, but they are also great athletes. You can teach your alpaca to do just about anything, My alpacas know when I want them in a certain pen, and even when I am calling them. Repetition helps along with lots of patience. They may not always come running, but they understand most of the times what I would like them to do. Whether they listen, depends of the mood of the day.  But on most occasions my guys are eager to please. Click here to see Regal helping me look good at an obstacle course. This was a competition that involved both alpacas and llamas running through an agility type of obstacle course. It was great fun considering it was my first time doing any sort of activity with an alpaca. . Regal placed second during this course and boy he made my job look easy! He taught me well!
Needless to say, alpacas can bring lots of enjoyment to your farm. Be creative and have fun. That is what it is all about.
Here is Tango.
Tango is a gorgeous fleeced boy who is deaf! Because of his genetic misfortune, Tango will not go into any breeding program, but fortunately for Spinning Wheel Alpacas he will become apart of our Therapy program. Tango has ringlets galore and will also be used for his fabulous fibre….it is super dense and crimpy!
Come and meet this wee guy, and enjoy his company. He loves to nibble pant legs to get your attention, and he loves neck rubs. What a beautiful boy and we are so proud of Tango….we know he will make us proud. If you are interested in a Therapy Animal, check out our special therapy alpacas for sale or read read more information on Alpaca Therapy here.
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