Everyone knows that walking is good for your heart. But walking with a llama, well, that is good for your soul.
"Some people go to therapy for their heads and other people come here," said Teri Conroy, owner of Wunsapana Farm in Altamont, New York.
At Wunsapana Farm, Teri Conroy is somewhat of a fairy godmother raising and sometimes saving llamas.
"They say 'what do you do with llamas?' I say, 'come and see,'" said Teri.
What she does, is just share with children, people with special needs and for about a year now, anyone who wants to walk.
"I started putting the word out I was having free llama walks," she said.
A place that was already a haven for llamas quickly became a refuge for people too.
"They are so gentle and sweet, I'm hooked," said Terri Crowley, from Albany.
"Every move they make is cuter than the last," said Helena DeCaprio, from Rotterdam.
"You find some of the biggest life lessons in the oddest of places," said Don Csaposs, from McKownville.
On these walks, Csaposs has become a student of the llamas.
"Stella has shown me how an animal can have dignity and grace and such steadfastness in the face of physical challenge," he said of a llama who lives with a broken and crooked leg.
The llama's silent lessons echo volumes about character, serenity, even friendship.
"If I'm sad or had a rough day I just go to him and brush him. He's always here, listens to everything I say," said Hannah, Teri's daughter.
She says that the unconditional love of a llama is not unlike her mom's, whose giving spirit has created a flock where anyone is welcome.
"A place to go to, a smile, a new beginning for those who have had tough times," said Hannah.
"Life is good, much better than it used to be," said Csaposs.
Because we all need a helping hand, sometimes a hoof to guide us down life's winding trails.
"There's no judgment here, no scary stuff, it is a safe place," said Teri.
