Youth & Llamas by Greg Hall

LLAMAS & YOUTH

by Greg Hall Simplicity Llama Farm • Dobson NC

Llamas are fun! So why should you get some? Here are a whole lot of ideas!

Are you smart? Want to meet new friends? With a llama, there will be all sorts of events where you and your llama are the center of attraction. That can be a little scary, but you will KNOW all the questions they can ask. What does that make you? And EXPERT! How many other kids do you know that are experts, and feel comfortable speaking with kids your age, or even adults? (Remember, they don’t know about llamas, YOU do) Plus, it’s FUN to see their expressions when your llama does a trick!

Are you in Middle School or High School or in a 4-H club? Need something to talk about at school? Talk about a llama. One of the skills that you will learn is public speaking. But with a llama, your public presentation skills will go sky high! Think about it, what a great conversation starter having a llama is! What’s his name, what do you do with him, do they spit, why is he so soft, can I come over and see him? These are all easy questions, and practice is what makes your presentations skills grow. Try it!

How do you plan for the week? Well, how about teaching your llama a trick? This will help you with planning, having a goal, working through obstacles, and accomplishing something fun. Teaching a llama a trick is a blast, but does take some time and repetition. But when you take the responsibility to finish a job, your llama will be right there with you, giving you confidence. And now you have something new to show off! And here’s a cool trick: Take your llama to Tractor Supply! Yes, it’s not ‘really’ a trick, but the people out there will LOVE to see your guy in there, letting him pick out his own treats.

Have you ever gotten an A in class? How many others got an A? How about a First Place ribbon? Better yet, how about Grand Champion? With a llama you will join an elite group of youth that have the BEST show animals around. You can show in a Halter class, (Is your llama the best looking one?) or in a Performance class, (with your llama performing in an Obstacle or Pack or Public Relations course). There is even a Youth Judging class, where YOU pick the class winner. (It’s tough!) Now getting a Grand Champion at a show is amazing, but imagine getting Grand at a regional show, when youth from many states compete. But the final goal is getting Overall Youth Championship at Grand Nationals. It CAN be for you, you just need to set your sights high, and work with your llama! You can do it!

Need to exercise? Nothing like a walking companion! Take a llama with you down to McDonalds, wave to the cars passing you by, but take time to let others take selfies with your llama. You’ll be ‘that kid’ that everyone knows. Go to a park with your llama, let the other kids hold his lead rope and let them run around. You’ll be getting your llama acclimated to loud sounds, cars, trucks, screaming kids and trusting that you will always come and

rescue him from the ‘crazy ones’. It’s fun!

Llamas are unique animals. We’ve all seen other kids with disabilities, but when you get a llama, YOU will be able to interact with those kids, and make a special moment came true. How? Llamas seem to ‘know’ when another youth is having issues. Say the youth has a problem with her motor skills. She reaches out to your llama, but rather than petting him, she pulls on his hair and doesn’t let go. That’s OK, YOU have trained your llama, he shows his displeasure, but doesn’t jump or spit or go crazy. Why? Llamas seem to have a ‘sixth sense’ about when people need a ‘little more help’. But, you’ve also bonded with your llama, and as a team, you can take on any challenge!

Finally, when you get old enough to get a job, imagine putting some references on your resume that include llamas? Gotten a Grand Champion award? Put that down! Done a presentation about llamas where you won an award? Put that on your resume too. How about a photo with you and the Mayor and your llama at an awards ceremony? Put that picture on your resume, and you’re sure to have a question come up, because they WILL want to know more about you and your llama. It’s a proven way to get in the door!

Llamas are the best animals you can ever get. Ask how you can get one for yourself. You’ll start a wonderful life with a new best friend!

All photos courtesy of the author.

About the author: Greg Hall and his family have had llamas since 1991 and currently have eighteen llamas, five of which were rescues. At it’s peak their herd population was thirty-four. They have moved around the country with their llamas from Seattle WA to Rochester NY to Mt Airy NC. They are very active in the show circuit and have shown in nineteen different states. Greg is well known for the lead ropes he makes and donates to first and second class winners in youth performance classes. He also serves on the SSLA Board of Directors.