“He’s so soft!” gushed 9-year-old Shannon Gregory as she hugged a llama at a local fair near their Ridgefield, Washington, home—an encounter that would spark a lifelong passion for animal therapy.

After moving from Oregon to the Portland suburb in 1997, Lori considered purchasing some kind of grass-eating livestock to keep their two and a half acres of land “mowed.” A few years earlier, her homeschooling group in Oregon had visited a large llama and alpaca farm, where Lori had been deeply moved by the lovable animals and the sense of happiness they gave her.

Now, seeing her young daughter beaming with joy just from petting a llama, Lori felt a spark of an idea.

This connection is meant to be, Lori thought, feeling a tug on her heart. I’ll trust God and see where it leads.

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Airport llamas spread smiles

A few years later, Lori finally took the leap and bought a gentle, friendly llama named Rojo.

She trained him as a therapy animal and began bringing Rojo to community events. Seeing the joyful impact the russet llama had on everyone who met him, Lori acquired and trained several more llamas and alpacas and formed the faith-based nonprofit Mtn Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas.

This is my true calling, Lori realized.

Shannon, now all grown up, longed to help build the business with her mother, so she quit her job and started training llamas and alpacas full time.

The mother-daughter duo began bringing the curious, social animals to visit special needs children, people in nursing homes, rehab and memory care facilities — anywhere they could lift spirits.

In 2019, Shannon branched out and opened her own business, Classy Camelids LLC, to handle all of their entertainment requests like weddings, birthday parties and special events.

Later that year, the Portland International Airport (PDX) invited Lori and Shannon to bring a couple of their llamas to help celebrate the grand opening of a new concourse. Two llamas, Smokey and Napoleon, arrived decked out in PDX attire. They were such a hit, the airport authority invited the llamas to more corporate events that year.

Shannon then created a musical video of two of their other llamas, Benji and Prince, strutting through the airport. The hilarious reel went viral, and their famous animals were issued an open invitation to return to PDX anytime. Thrilled, Lori and Shannon launched an all-volunteer program at the airport that allows the animals to interact with and calm passengers.

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A therapy llama legacy

Lori and Shannon began visiting PDX every other week for 90 minutes, walking around with two llamas or alpacas. The animals arrive adorned in colorful florals and wear special booties so they don’t slip on the smooth floors.

As the animals mingle with passengers in the main entry of PDX, each hug, cuddle and photo helps nervous travelers—especially­ those anxious about flying—relax and melt into smiles.

One family was so grateful for the experience, they sent an email to Lori and Shannon: My family was traveling through PDX when we encountered your alpaca Max and his handlers. My son, who has autism, was enchanted and spent several minutes talking to and petting Max. I could see how his body relaxed and some of the travel stress disappeared, the touched family wrote. Now we’re home, and when asked about his uncle’s wedding, my son tells people all about Max. Thank you for making a stressful situation so much better for an anxious 11-year-old.

Other notes of gratitude came in from travelers who cried after hugging the calming animals because they were on their way to see a sick loved one or attend a funeral. Lori and Shannon also received messages from visitors around the world—including travelers from South America who said they felt happy and welcomed because the animals reminded them of home.

“My favorite thing about visiting the airport is how no one we encounter is expecting to see llamas,” Shannon says. “They are struck with joy, excitement and curiosity, and we get to witness them having this cheerful, full-body experience.”

Lori beams as she reflects on her calling and the journey that has brought her so much pride and fulfillment. “Neither Shannon nor I can imagine our lives without our llamas and alpacas,” she shares. “They’ve taught us how to be comfortable in all kinds of environments. Our animals don’t discriminate or care about appearance—they love and accept every single person they meet. We think that’s a great example for us too.”