PORT ANGELES — A few dos and don’ts to remember when it comes to alpacas: Do approach them slowly and talk in a calm voice. Don’t cuddle or hug them too much. Do remember they are stubborn and can spit if they don’t get their way.
And always keep in mind they have absolutely no concept of personal space — especially if you happen to have food with you.
It’s a pretty short and straightforward list, and along with their generally easy going nature, it makes these South American camelids and their llama cousins good therapy animals, which is why Olympic Peninsula Llama/Alpaca Rescue is starting a new initiative dedicated to helping veterans.
Veterans Day on Friday is the kickoff of VALIDATE — Veterans Alpaca Llama Individually Devoted Agriculture Therapy Engagement — the rescue organization’s latest outreach effort to educate the public about llamas and alpacas and the many benefits of working with them.
Veterans and civil servants will be welcome to visit, meet the animals and learn about the organization’s mission between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday at 669 N. Lees Creek Road in Port Angeles.
“They can try to figure out if this something that they might like to do,” said the rescue’s president, Rondi Smith. “Or they can come out and just start working with the animals.”
Veterans might be asked to help with feeding, administering medication, trimming hooves, processing fiber and pasture management (that is, picking up manure).
A background in handling alpacas and llamas isn’t required, although everyone who participates must sign a safety waiver. There is no cost to participate, although donations are welcome.
For Greg Winkle, a Navy veteran diagnosed with PTSD, offering fellow veterans a place to help out or simply hang out means sharing what he has found to be indispensable therapy.
“It’s changed my whole way of life,” said Winkle, who is rescue’s site manager and serves on its board. “I still have my issues, but being with the animals takes it away and gives you time to forget.”
Smith said creating a veteran support system using the rescue’s animals has been part of the nonprofit’s mission since its founding in 2013.
However, getting it off the ground took longer than they anticipated because the job of rescuing, rehabilitating and finding homes for alpacas and llamas has been so demanding and time-consuming.
Just four years ago, the rescue handled 50 animals — today there are about 150 on its 20-acre property.
In addition to llamas like Steve the Pirate and alpacas like Cotton Ball, the rescue is also home to sheep like Betty White, as well as guard dogs Heidi and Xena and chickens.
Brad McGuire said he can attest to the benefits of working with alpacas. The 30-year Navy veteran met Smith and Winkle when he adopted four alpacas from the rescue.
“I have PTSD, and so when they get stubborn and fight against me, then I have to work through that so that my anger doesn’t overwhelm what I’m trying to do,” said McGuire, who lives in the Freshwater Bay area.
McGuire said people who are willing to learn, admit when they don’t know something and come with an open mind will benefit from their visits.
“If you’re trainable, that’s half the battle, and being a vet already tells me that you’re trainable,” McGuire said. “If you can set the ego aside and if you’re interested in a live animal that will respond to you, it’s a lot of fun.”
VALIDATE will be held every Thursday starting Nov. 17 (except for Thanksgiving on Nov. 24). Smith strongly recommended visitors wear clothes appropriate for farm work and muddy conditions, but the rescue will loan boots and gloves to those who cannot afford to purchase them.
The rescue is in the process of installing a building donated for the veterans’ use that will provide shelter and allow those with mobility challenges to interact with the animals.
Those who might need assistance getting from the parking area to the pasture or required other accommodations are encouraged to call ahead at 360-689-2836.
Winkle said providing access to those who have physical disabilities and removing barriers like a fee to participate would allow more veterans to take advantage of what the rescue has to offer.
“If they just want have a place to go for an hour to be by themselves, then that’s OK, too,” Winkle said.
Smith said her experience with the many volunteers on whom the rescue relies convinced her that veterans would benefit from participating.
“I have seen this time and time again. The animal I really feel chooses the person,” Smith said. “They come out here, they start feeding, and they’ll eventually connect with one of the animals, and when that happens, then that’s when a lot of the healing will start.”
For more information, call 360-689-2836 or email olympicalpacas@outlook.com.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached at paula.hunt@soundpublishing.com.
Greg Winkle of Olympic Peninsula Llama/Alpaca Rescue steadies an alpaca as volunteer Samanta Larsh injects medications on the organization’s farm in east Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Greg Winkle of Olympic Peninsula Llama/Alpaca Rescue is surrounded by the animals, lured from the pasture at the sight of a food bucket. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Volunteer Samanta Larsh hand feeds a snack to a pair of animals at Olympic Peninsula Llama/Alpaca Rescue. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Greg Winkle of Olympic Peninsula Llama/Alpaca Rescue holds the leash of an alpaca near a stable area for other animals. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
