Why Portland Airport Has Llamas in Costumes Greeting Travelers Once a Month
Airport therapy dog programs have been around for years. Portland International Airport took the concept somewhere far more unexpected — and it might signal where the travel experience is headed next.
Since 2023, costumed therapy llamas and alpacas have been visiting PDX about once a month, spending roughly 1.5 hours roaming the terminal and entrance areas while travelers stop to pet, hug and even feed them. The animals come from Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas, a Washington-based nonprofit in Ridgefield, and they’ve quickly become something of an airport institution.
If you’re someone who tracks how brands and public spaces are rethinking the user experience, this is worth watching. Airports are increasingly competing not just on efficiency but on emotional design — and PDX is leaning all the way in.
“PDX is known for doing things differently, and the llamas and alpacas – with their gentle nature and quirky personalities – have reached icon status in the airport, beloved by all,” Molly Prescott, an airport spokesperson, told USA TODAY.
“There’s nothing quite like the delight and surprise you’ll see on people’s faces when they encounter the llamas and alpacas for the first time.”
The program is built around a simple goal: reduce stress and anxiety for travelers. But its execution goes beyond a quick pat on the head. Each animal comes with a collectible trading card. Visitors can opt for a “carrot kiss” — feeding a carrot by hand or mouth. The animals arrive in themed costumes, dressed as pirates, cowboys and more. Standing up to roughly 6 feet tall and weighing up to approximately 450 pounds, these aren’t background novelties. They command the room.
Lori Gregory, the owner of Mountain Peaks, told USA TODAY her family discovered llamas through a school program and never looked back.
“We decided to join that to learn about these animals and just fell in love,” she said.
Their first llama, Shania — named after Shania Twain — had a sweet personality that inspired the leap into therapy work. Another standout is Rojo, purchased in 2002, who weighs roughly 350 to 400 pounds and is described as gentle, “doglike” and people-friendly.
Gregory said Rojo “never grew out of that doglike personality and people-friendly personality,” making the animal a natural fit for parades, fairs and public interaction.
What sets this apart from a gimmick is the intentionality. Gregory is trained to read the room — and the reason someone might need a few extra minutes with an animal.
“The whole purpose of the therapy is to help with anxiety and de-stress, so I’m always watchful,” she told USA TODAY. “We get quite a few people traveling for not-fun reasons, they’re going to visit their loved one for the last time, or they’re going to a funeral or you know, things that are hard. We always try to watch for those people to give them extra time with the animal and just express our love and care.”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
