Former rescue llama now helps others during care home visits
A Sidmouth-based llama has become the first animal to win a BBC Devon Make a Difference award, writes Philippa Davies.
Harry, a therapy llama who visits care homes with his owner, was among four finalists in the awards’ newly-introduced animal category. The winners were announced on September 25th.
‘We’re so proud of him!’ said Harry’s owner, Maggie Jee of Peak Hill Llamas. Fans say the award is well deserved as both Harry and his brother, George, really do make all the difference.
‘They’re very gentle and friendly and really enjoy their visits and interacting with people,’ says Maggie.
‘They’re quite happy going indoors (they have very clean toilet habits!) and even visit bedridden residents in their rooms, going right to their bedsides to interact with them.’
‘Llamas seem to have a particularly calming effect on people, and Harry and George are exceptionally calm and gentle and are very happy to be stroked and cuddled.’
‘They also act as motivators – encouraging people to move around, and social catalysts – encouraging people to interact and talk to each other.’
‘Above all these things, though, is the sheer fact that they bring so much joy to everyone they meet. Very often relatives say things like “I haven’t seem mum smile like that in months!” To us that is what our visits are all about.’
Walking with llamas
We recently reported on the lamas and their ‘bespoke walking and interactive experiences’ which Maggie, and her partner Paul Ferbrache, have been offering since 2007.
They started offering therapeutic llama visits to care homes, hospitals, community centres and SEND schools in 2013, and are now extending these activities through a not-for-profit Social Enterprise called Llamas4Good CIC, started in April 2024.
Harry came to Peak Hill with George in 2013 after being rescued from a breeder who didn’t look after them properly. He has been a therapy llama since 2021.
‘He is incredibly intuitive and knows just how to help everyone he meets,’ explains Maggie who says he’s ideal for the role. ‘His story has really now come full circle, from needing help himself as a young llama to now being able to help others.’
‘We are so proud of him and all the wonderful work that he does.’
