They’ve recently become local celebrities, appearing at events such as the Quilcene Fair and Parade, but the Cape George Highlands Alpacas have continued their day jobs as therapy animals

Marie Muma, who owns the alpacas, would love to see them start visiting with residents of the Discovery View Retirement Apartments, but they’ve already been visiting with residents of the Life Care Center of Port Townsend.

The Life Care Center’s Lisa O’Brien is a member of the Port Townsend Yacht Club, alongside Muma and her husband, and it was during one of the yacht club’s meetings that O’Brien mentioned how the Life Care Center’s pet therapy program was “struggling” at the time.

“Marie mentioned they’d acquired alpacas, and she used to bring her dog in for visits,” O’Brien said. “From there, the conversation blossomed.”

O’Brien noted that heavy correspondence ensued, to ensure all the requisite paperwork and medical procedures followed, from immunizations and flea treatments to insurance, proof of therapy training and health certificates signed by veterinarians, as she presented the idea of animal therapy to her executive director, Angela Cerna.

According to O’Brien, the reactions of the Life Care Center’s residents have been “amazing,” even from those who are unable to participate, since animal therapy is conducted outdoors.

“It‘s sparked discussions and educational opportunities about alpacas and llamas,” O’Brien said. “The excitement for each week’s visit has been wonderful. Many residents look forward to petting and feeding the alpacas. The joy and smiles we see weekly has been astounding.”

O’Brien likewise reported the Life Care Center’s staff have enjoyed those visits, as well, not only for the residents’ reactions and conversations, but also because staff love interacting with the alpacas themselves.

“It gives residents something different to look forward to,” O’Brien said. “Many of the residents have never seen an alpaca, let alone had them up close and personal.”

O’Brien credited the animal therapy program with getting a number of Life Care Center residents “out of their rooms,” even those who don’t participate in other group activities.

“They enjoy the fresh air, socializing, learning, petting and feeding the animals,” said O’Brien, who touted the benefits of “the cognitive stimulation” and “physical exercise, such as stretching to reach out and continue petting the animals,” as well as how it “helps to foster and strengthen our sense of community, camaraderie and pure life enjoyment!”

O’Brien hopes that such programs will help change people’s stereotypical notions of “nursing homes,” since animal therapy responds to the cognitive and physical stimulation needs of not just long-term residents, but also rehab and respite residents.

“The soothing aspect of touching soft, fluffy animals is so important to all levels of abilities,” O’Brien said. “Animals help us deal with physical and emotional pain with joy and love. They accept us for who we are, no matter where we are with our emotions. The fact that they’re soft and cuddly doesn’t hurt either.”

Muma’s decision to acquire three alpacas stemmed from a similar rationale, after the pandemic saw her dealing with health issues of her own.

“I’ve always loved animals and animal training,” said Muma, who cited her familiarity with the psychology of B.F. Skinner. “And our Cape George Highlands property seemed to beckon some sort of animals.”

Muma placed a deposit on two unborn female llamas, then began contacting alpaca breeders across the state after visiting the Olympic Peninsula Llama and Alpaca Rescue in Port Angeles.

Muma purchased three alpacas from the Southfork Farms of Mount Vernon, and has installed a lighted gazebo, with a TV, where they can watch themselves on their own YouTube channel, “Highland Alpacas.”

“We actually bought what’s come to be called the ‘Alpaca Mobile,’ before we even knew we’d be successful in getting them to load inside,“ who’s consulted a host of resources, from print and online to other owners, for ideas on how they can best utilize and care for their alpacas, Muma said.

“We had a huge birthday party in July, when Remi turned 8, and the other two alpacas turned 4,” Muma said. “I started inviting friends and neighbors to come join us for ‘alpaca encounters,’ which frequently include neighborhood walks and instructions on basic leading, as well as what to watch out for when being around these animals.”

Muma acknowledged the animal husbandry has proven to be a bit of a challenge, especially toenail clipping, for which she’s enlisted the aid of a woman who now also contributes shearing services, which have left Muma with “a lot” of fleece.

“I had the first shearing turned into yarn, and purchased a circular knitting machine to make hats, scarves and easy stuff,” Muma said. “The rest of the raw fleece remains in our tack room, waiting for a new home.”

For those who don’t reside at the Life Care Center (which is always looking for more volunteers), Muma invited prospective visitors to email her at mariemuma@gmail.com to arrange free visits with the Cape George Highlands Alpacas.

“Any and all visitors with ‘the boys’ contribute to their training, socialization and urbanization, which is actually going quite well over the year and a half that I’ve owned them,” Muma said. This program was temporarily shut down, due to the pandemic, but now, the tradition of animal therapy will continue.”