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Llamas: My Passion, Their Purpose by Tracy Pearson
Llamas: My Passion, Their Purpose
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Llamas: My Passion, Their Purpose
by Tracy Pearson • Pearson Pond Ranch and Llama Co • Ellijay GA The group of pioneers that created the Southern States Lla ma Association (SSLA) back in 1987 is to be commend ed. The SSLA was one of the first, if not the first, llama organizations in the U.S. In the following couple of years, many other llama associations sprang up across the country. The International Lama Association (ILA) incorporated the whole world. Guests at their functions came from Great Britain, Germany, Australia, France and Japan, as well as the U.S. What makes an organization is the people. We llama ranchers in the south consolidated and united together under the umbrella of the SSLA. It was a port of entry through which people gathered to teach, learn, and exchange ideas and solutions. We the people are the SSLA, from the beginning up to today. This organization created a venue to meet interesting people with completely different backgrounds who shared the same passion, llamas. The llama is the glue which holds us together. The propulsion behind the success of the organization was and is the passion for these extraordinary creatures and the camaraderie of the unruly and loving people on a great adventure together.
I’ve been asked too many times, “Why did you get into llamas?” I had never seen them or been around them. I just needed them. Llamas filled my life, my heart, and my soul. They taught me so much about being a better human. They taught me patience, body language, insight and to respect intuition. Through raising them, I have learned about life and death, acceptance and understanding. All of these lessons came into play by giving me the inner endurance and insight to help my husband pass on. Now finally I know why I needed llamas.
Where Tracy is most at home, with her llamas. Photo courtesy of Tanner Shinnick
Not only did these ethereal and spiritual creatures give me strength and ability to cope with events in life, but they gave me lifelong friendships with their people.
About the author: Tracy Pearson has owned llamas 30 years and was one of the original SSLA members. Her first contact with llamas was when Lisa Dreggors placed a lead in her hand and the rest is history. Once she was hooked, Pearson Pond Ranch and Llama Co. was formed. By the end of the first year they they fifty llamas which grew to a herd of 390 at it’s peak. Besides breeding champion llamas, Tracy took on other tasks as well benefitting the llama community as a whole. Pearson Pond has hosted eight llama neonatal clinics with Drs. LaRue Johnson and Mike Zager. In addition, through research on her ranch she helped develop camelid feed and nutritional supplements.
