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- Portland International Airport is introducing llamas and alpacas to help reduce stress in its terminals.
- Travel-related anxiety is widespread, with fears such as missing a flight exacerbating mental health issues.
- Animal-assisted therapy has been shown to decrease anxiety levels and stimulate the release of mood-enhancing hormones.
An airport in Oregon is taking innovative steps to alleviate the worries of anxious travelers through an unconventional animal therapy initiative.
Portland International Airport has teamed up with Mountain Peaks Therapy to bring certified llamas and alpacas into its terminals every few weeks. This initiative aims to mitigate some of the stress that often accompanies air travel, as reported by NPR.
The Ridgefield, Washington-based farm provides five llamas and six alpacas trained for gentle interactions with passengers. Their website indicates that hiring these animals costs approximately $650 per hour each.
Research indicates that animal-assisted therapy can have a range of positive effects on individuals dealing with various mental health challenges; however, experts emphasize the need for further studies on its effectiveness. A report from PubMed Central highlights these findings.
UCLA Health notes that engaging with animals can trigger the release of hormones associated with improved mood while also reducing feelings of anxiety—providing what they describe as a “joyful distraction.”
The majority of existing research focuses primarily on therapy dogs, which are increasingly being deployed in airports like London Stansted Airport and Istanbul Airport.
The introduction of llamas and alpacas may be less conventional; however, Allison Ferre from the Port of Portland explained to NPR that this program is just one part of their broader strategy aimed at alleviating travel-related stressors.
Additions such as incorporating greenery into airport design have also been implemented according to NPR’s reports.
The Port Authority did not provide immediate feedback when contacted by Business Insider regarding this initiative.
A notable example includes Denver International Airport’s extensive animal therapy program, which earned it recognition from Guinness World Records in 2021 for being the largest airport-based program globally. You can find more about it through this link:
Guinness World Records 2021 .
A survey conducted by Priority Pass in 2019 revealed significant concerns among UK travelers regarding potential travel disruptions such as delays en route to airports or lost luggage—issues contributing greatly to pre-flight anxiety levels. The survey results indicated common fears included missing boarding calls or misplacing essential documents like passports.
According to Mintel’s market research data from 2022, nearly half (45%) of surveyed U.S. travelers identified crowded airports as a primary source of stress during their journeys.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that travel-induced stress can exacerbate symptoms in individuals already facing mental health challenges like depression or anxiety disorders.
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