BBC News reports that a pair of alpacas surprised care home residents in Leicester. The alpacas’ names are Coco and Tufty. It is said that Asra House, a residential care home, employs animal therapy sessions using alpacas. Needless to say, alpacas have become therapy animals because of their gift of having a sixth sense, and they have a great connection with people that contributes to their physical and psychological healing. During the visit of Coco and Tufty, the residents enjoyed walking, feeding, caressing, and interacting with the alpacas. Some of them found it a unique experience, as it was their first time having alpacas as guests. They found the visit peculiar yet very special.
News in Health reports that having pets or interacting with animals is a good way of de-stressing and preventing hypertension. Moreover, having pets can be good for a person’s psychological health because they can decrease feelings of sadness, increase encouragement, and improve a person’s temper. Researchers are pursuing studies regarding human-animal interaction, especially among kids with neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and autism.
In some facilities, they provide animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted interventions using alpacas. They also aim to offer animal-assisted therapy for those with neurodevelopmental disorders, children with special needs, and psychological instabilities.
Vanderbilt University also uses alpacas in its research for Alzheimer’s and cancer. The researchers discovered that the unique antibodies of alpacas are helpful for therapeutic interventions and diagnostics. The antibodies are resistant to heat and acid, and they can even cross the blood-brain barrier.
In other studies, alpacas have been proven to assist in the speedy recuperation of post-surgical patients and those recovering from diseases.
In this modern world where everything is fast-paced and technology has taken a toll on us, researchers find that it is good to go back to the basics. Instead of employing high-tech ways of relieving stress and anxiety, they recommend resorting to natural ways. The answers are all in nature. There are natural stress relievers like animals, particularly alpacas, who are adorable, gentle, and sociable. Their soft skin adds to the relief, as well as the sound of their hums. Walking with them gets your body moving. They are therapeutic animals that promote emotional welfare, stress relief, and serenity.
Are you part of an institution that deals with illnesses through natural healing? Maybe making alpacas part of the therapy could help in the healing process of your patients of all ages. Or are you an individual who is an animal lover and who wants to experience having an alpaca as a companion? Hensting Alpacas, the Home of the Alpaca, sells male, female, and stud alpacas in the UK. You can also buy them as a package. Their alpacas have different colors, and you can choose whichever you fancy. For more information about Alpacas, visit www.alpacas-hampshire.co.uk.
But before you buy, you need to take note of the following things: The first thing you should do is register as a member of the British Alpaca Society through their website. By signing up, you will have all the information about these loveable pets. Of course, as a potential alpaca buyer, you need to know how to care for them, what makes them healthy, what to feed them, and many more. British Alpaca Society offers courses on alpaca features. Second, you need to research or visit farms that house alpacas because you want to know what kind of environment they thrive in. Having your alpaca entails a long-standing commitment, so you must know how they can live comfortably for a long time. Third, if you ever get the chance to see an alpaca in person, try to interact with them so that when you bring one home, alpacas won’t be a stranger to you. Lastly, purchase your alpaca from a trusted breeder who is genuinely concerned about the quality of the alpaca, unlike other farms that breed alpacas for quantity.
In the past, we only thought of dogs and cats as support animals, and they were even brought to health facilities to give comfort and peace to the ailing. But now, alpacas are also contributing to the world of medicine with their amiable presence. If you are in pain or you suffer from depression or anxiety, it would be helpful to have an alpaca that you call your own.