Airports: the modern-day gauntlet where you sprint through security, dodge the overpriced snacks, and try to keep your cool as you’re herded like cattle through endless lines. But what if I told you that now, amid the chaos, you could find solace in… alpacas and llamas? Yep, these fluffy, long-necked charmers are the newest additions to therapy animal squads at airports. At least in Oregon.

Just imagine it: you’re one TSA line away from a full-blown existential crisis when suddenly, there’s a llama looking at you with those big, soulful eyes, as if to say, “Hey, it’s going to be okay.” Petting their soft fur might just be the ultimate stress-buster, a tiny oasis of calm in the otherwise sterile and chaotic environment of an airport. It’s ironic, isn’t it? Airports are basically a mix of a pressure cooker and a waiting room, and now they’re introducing creatures that could make even the grumpiest passenger melt a little.

But what about the dogs? You know, the OG therapy animals of the airport world? How are they going to react to sharing the spotlight with these exotic fluffballs? I can see it now: the classic airport pup, sitting there, bemused as an alpaca sashays by with a ‘look-at-me’ attitude. It’s like the animal kingdom’s version of reality TV—who will be the top therapy animal?

And let’s not forget the delightful absurdity of petting animals while trapped in what is essentially a massive cage (a.k.a., the terminal). It’s as if the universe is saying, “Yes, you’re stressed, but here’s a llama. Good luck out there!”

So next time you’re stuck in airport purgatory, keep an eye out for these fuzzy stress-relievers. Because really, who wouldn’t want to pet an alpaca before their flight to freedom?