We all know how amazing llamas are. They zero in on the one person in the crowd that needs a llama hug. They're kind to small children. They worry about those 2 leggeds they see are a bit "different"--wheelchairs, crutches, etc. Well, Tattletale, on her very first visit anywhere, outdid herself, and made a real name for therapy llamas everywhere.
 

I'd been invited to "bring a llama and meet about 30 folks" at the nursing home near by. These folks are of all ages from middle age to antique. All but 2 were in wheelchairs. Some were alert, some not. I had no idea what to expect, not having been there before, but figured that if it was obvious Tattletale wasn't doing well, we'd just beg forgiveness and leave.

Try closer to 80 than 30. Jammed into the lobby, the hallway, and the dining room. Outside, under the carport, too, as it was threatening heavy rain all day.

With barely a touch on the lead rope from me, Tattletale quickly figured out how to get everyone permanently in love with her. For over an hour, she went from person to person, gave each one an extremely gentle "wuffle", let everyone pet her, and stood still for innumerable folks to look at her. I ended up just sort of tagging along, watching in amazement. The tiny elderly ladies in the wheelchairs each got a very gentle wuffle on their hair, followed by a careful check of legs, or lap blankets, and face. The initial "oh, it's going to bite!" worries were replaced by "can I have another kiss?" The elderly men were even more charmed, as she not only kissed, but then wuffled in their ears, as if telling them a great secret. The shy Down's syndrome man worried Tattletale a bit, and she looked at me "Explain this". I told her that he needed extra gentle love, and patience. She responded by letting him pet her, then giving him an extremely gentle kiss on his forehead--you could see his face light!

After we went back to the trailer, the head of the nursing department came out to thank me again, and told me "remember the lady in the motorized wheelchair?" umm--there were about 8 of those! and went on to describe her until the link clicked in my brain. Turned out she was always grumpy, angry, negative. After getting 2 kisses from Tattletale, she was smiling and thanking her aide for helping her down to the meeting area! The hospital side of the home has already asked me to come visit over there!

Kris Paige