Airport is Using Llamas to Alleviate Travel Anxiety. Is This Ethical?

Portland International Airport’s latest attempt to calm anxious travelers involves bringing llamas and alpacas into its terminals. Partnering with Mountain Peaks Therapy, the airport hopes these animals can provide a relaxing experience, but Animal rights activists argue that it raises ethical concerns about using animals to serve human needs.

Mountain Peaks Therapy, a Washington-based farm, provides certified llamas and alpacas, each costing $650 an hour, to engage with passengers. While animal-assisted therapy is known to have positive impacts on mental health—potentially lowering stress and promoting the release of mood-lifting hormones—critics question the cost of this “relief” to the animals themselves.

This practice at Portland International is part of a growing trend of animal therapy in airports, with Denver International currently holding the record for the world’s largest such program. Therapy dogs have become a regular sight at airports worldwide, and the expansion to llamas and alpacas offers a novelty factor, but animal rights supporters argue it disregards the welfare of these animals. Moving through crowded terminals and interacting with hundreds of people can be overwhelming, and some question whether it’s fair to involve animals in a high-stress environment for human benefit.

A 2022 survey by Mintel revealed that nearly half of U.S. travelers feel crowded airport environments add to their stress. While airports aim to create a calming atmosphere by adding greenery or therapy animals, opponents of animal-assisted therapy programs argue that animals should not be used as “stress-relief tools” for people. Instead, its suggest exploring humane alternatives to help travelers unwind, such as tranquil design.

As more airports explore these programs, it’s worth reconsidering the ethical implications of using animals in high-stress, human-centered environments. While animal therapy may soothe travelers, some argue it’s another form of animal exploitation that sacrifices animal well-being.

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