Photo by Iiris L on Unsplash
Portland International Airport Welcomes Therapy Llamas
December 28, 2023
Dealing with holiday travel chaos just got more bearable thanks to a unique initiative taken at the Portland International Airport in Oregon. The airport has welcomed a comforting pair of therapy llamas to help ease the stress of holiday travelers — introducing a refreshing blend of amusement and tranquility amidst the holiday frenzy.
These therapeutic llamas, named Beni and Prince, have been invited to the airport on three separate occasions this month. The duo hails from Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas, a farm known for its therapeutic animals, and their visits have stirred quite a buzz on social media. Their delightfully unexpected presence at the airport has been celebrated for its novelty and the positive vibes it has generated, further enhancing Portland’s reputation for embracing unconventionality.
Therapy animals are often used to alleviate stress and anxiety, and their application at airports has grown in popularity in recent years. Weighing in at 400 pounds each, these gentle giants have been meandering through the airport terminals, providing a soothing distraction for passengers amidst the holiday rush.
Allison Ferre, the media relations manager with the Port of Portland, the organization that runs the airport, mentioned that partnering with various therapy animal programs throughout the year has proven to be a great stress-buster for passengers. Expressing her appreciation, she said, “The llamas deliver instant joy.”
The airport’s social media channel has also shared about the llamas’ cheerful presence. Adding to their charm, Beni and Prince were adorned with a festive reindeer theme featuring antler headbands, glittery halters with tinkling bells, and wreaths decorated with poinsettias.
We took an unconventional approach to helping travelers manage holiday travel stress and it got a lot of love. It was wonderful to see the smiles these Therapy Llamas brought to PDX visitors and beyond! A big thank you to @rojothellama’s Beni and Prince.
PDX Airport via Facebook
Recent News
Massive Data Breach Hits Ticketmaster, Affecting 560 Million Customers
Ticketmaster has fallen victim to a significant cyber-attack, potentially compromising the data of up to 560 million customers. The breach was confirmed by Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, which revealed that a notorious hacking group, ShinyHunters, is behind the attack. The hackers are demanding a ransom of approximately £400,000 to prevent the data from being sold on the dark web.
Toyota Recalls 100,000+ Tundra and Lexus LX SUVs Over Engine Debris Issue
Toyota has announced a recall for over 100,000 Tundra pickups and Lexus LX SUVs in North America due to potential engine issues caused by machining debris. This recall affects certain 2022-2023 models of the Tundra and LX, which are equipped with the new V6 twin-turbo engine. The V6 twin-turbo engine has faced considerable scrutiny regarding its reliability, especially when compared to the previous naturally aspirated V8 engines.
Wordle and Worldle Battle Over Names
A legal dispute has erupted between the wildly popular word game Wordle and the lesser-known geography game Worldle, centering on the similarity of their names. Wordle, which was developed by Josh Wardle in 2021 and later acquired by the New York Times in 2022 for a substantial sum, has gained immense popularity. In this game, players have six attempts to guess a five-letter word.
FDA Issues Recall for Crecelac Goat Milk Infant Formula
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety alert regarding Crecelac Goat Milk Infant Formula and other infant formula products imported and distributed by Dairy Manufacturers Inc. The alert highlights Cronobacter contamination concerns with Crecelac Infant Powdered Goat Milk Infant Formula. Although Dairy Manufacturers Inc. initiated a recall on May 24, 2024, due to non-compliance with FDA regulations, new findings of Cronobacter contamination have prompted further action.