WORTH THE DRIVE
by Megan Diane Beatty • megan@lhtxdigest.com photos courtesy Artillery Creek Alpacas
Forget Your Stress, Meet an Alpaca
I
Kati adds, “September is childhood cancer awareness
f there is anyone who doesn’t love alpacas, we have
month, and pediatric research is very underfunded. Do-
never met them. Topping the list of adorable farm ani-
nating to any reputable childhood cancer support group
mals, alpacas are also notably serene. The most common
is a wonderful way to help us find better treatment
sound they make is similar to humming, and gentle nose
options and cures for our children.”
kisses are their sign of affection. Once you hang out with an alpaca and absorb its breezy nature, you can’t help but feel a little less stressed and a little more carefree.
Since inviting their first cancer family to the alpaca farm, the Davenports have added some adorably fluffy llamas. They test drove the idea by taking in one llama named Shiro. “He is an absolutely incredible animal,”
ALPACA THE HOPE Just ten minutes from Copperas Cove in Kempner, this
Kati says. “It didn’t take us long to fall in love with the idea. We quickly grew our llama herd by taking in six
lovely bed and breakfast alpaca farm specifically offers a
rescues, and now we have ten. Our families truly enjoy
safe, peaceful, stress-free respite for kids battling cancer
spending time with all of them.”
and their families. Farm owners Kati and William Daven-
At the farm, families get a guided tour and plenty
port say, “Our alpacas really helped us recover after our
of interaction with the animals. The owners also try to
son finished treatment. We found spending time with
set up photoshoots to provide magical and whimsical
our animals to be rejuvenating for our soul. We began
keepsakes to remember their time on the farm. Families
inviting other cancer families to the farm, and the bond
say these photoshoots are quite freeing—the result of
was instant. Seeing the experience is truly amazing and
letting the alpacas take their worries for a moment, and
therapeutic.”
that moment is captured forever.
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S E P T E M B E R 2021 LIBER T Y HILL D IGES T
