Therallama is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of these peaceful beasts as therapy animals. Kitty DeMoss, director, points out that not all llamas can be used for the task. "They have to have the personality for it. You have ot have a llama that really wants to be around people and has an affinity for them," she says. And even if they do, it still requires a year of training at the Therallama Ranch.

As far as the personality of llamas goes, DeMoss compares them to cats. "They don't just come up to you. Some are more friendly than others. They really have a quite elegance to them."

The program started in 1998 and became a non-profit two years later. DeMoss recalls, "We had had llamas for seven years before that. We were impressed how after coming home from work and interacting with them, how relazing they were. I was a horse and goat person until I interacted with llamas."

DeMoss has a master's in rehabilitative counseling from the University of Kentucky. Associate Director, Debra Dunbar has an MS in sports administration.

Therallama uses the animals to lift spirits. They bring the llamas into assisted living residents, to people who have diabilities, and to children who are homebound. The therapy can be as simple as the patients reaching out to stroke the llams, to aid in arm movement or improving the range of motion in a limb.

DeMoss says Therallama plans to start a summer program to invite people to come out and interact with the animals.

The laama ranch is located in Santa Ysabel on 2.5 acres.

You can contact Therallama by calling 760-789-3253, or writing to PO Box 334, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070, or visit their website at www.therallama.org