Two therapy llamas and about a dozen to 20 service dogs greeted holiday travelers at Portland International Airport on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025.

The appearance of the animals was intended to ease stress during one of the airport’s busiest stretches: PDX was preparing for roughly 1,000,000 travelers over the holiday season, and handlers said the animals gave passengers and employees a brief chance to relax and smile. Interacting with therapy animals, such as the llamas and dogs present, can significantly lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation, making them a valuable resource during such hectic travel periods. What are the psychological benefits of interacting

Panda and Beni, the llamas from Mtn. Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas, were both dressed in holiday attire and drew long lines of travelers and airport staff wanting selfies. Panda is 10 years old and Beni is 17; both have been doing public events for most of their lives, trained to remain calm and tolerant in crowded environments. Their size — about 300 pounds — and calm presence make them memorable fixtures at seasonal events.

Handlers from Dove Lewis Canine Therapy Teams and Portland Area Canine Therapy Teams worked alongside the Mtn. Peaks group, deploying the service dogs with their handlers to meet passengers in terminals and concourses. These service animals, certified through organizations like How are therapy animals trained and certified for, are specifically trained to support travelers by providing comforting interactions that can help lower stress levels.

“Our goal is to brighten their days,” said Kathy Loter, Program Director at Dove Lewis Canine Therapy Teams. With at least 76 U.S. airports implementing similar therapy animal programs, this initiative reflects a growing recognition of the positive impact therapy animals have in public spaces. What percentage of airports in the U.S. have imple

Shannon Joy of Mtn. Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas described the moment some travelers first see a llama on their way through the airport. “My favorite response is when we are walking down to a concourse, and you have people with their blank stares just trying to make their way to luggage claim, and they turn around the corner and see a llama and their body just melts in excitement,” she said. This joy is not just anecdotal; studies have shown that such interactions can significantly alleviate anxiety and elevate mood.

Handlers said interactions ranged from quick petting and photos to brief hugs, with people of all ages stopping to engage. “I love seeing people’s faces light up when they see the dogs. The dogs love seeing the people, they love seeing the other dogs, and they just love making people happy,” said Kathy Wentworth.

Airport teams and the therapy organizations coordinated the timing and placement of the animals so they could circulate through busy spots without disrupting passenger flows. Organizers noted that the animals are part of a broader program of year-round and seasonal teams that visit the terminal to provide comfort to travelers and staff.

People lined up to meet Panda and Beni at holiday markets and concourses, and handlers said the animals responded to the crowds with steady calm, allowing brief, supervised interactions. Video and on-site accounts captured the llamas walking through terminals and travelers stopping to take photos and speak with handlers; one such clip is available on YouTube.

Organizers who participated in the event included Dove Lewis Canine Therapy Teams, Mtn. Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas, and Portland Area Canine Therapy Teams, which together provided the llamas and service dogs for the holiday appearance.

The teams said the visits are part of a continued effort to support passenger wellbeing at PDX during peak travel periods and to offer small, positive encounters for people passing through the airport.

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Original reporting: view the original article.