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By now you have probably
noticed the Camelidynamics Handler Seal
in the corner of each page on the Autumn Sky Alpacas
Website. I would
like to take this page to explain this essential element
to your future with camelids.
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3Peruvian Applause
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I met Marty McGee
Bennett at the National Conference in Louisville,
Kentucky in 2004. I have had my alpacas since
2001 and loved every minute I spent with them.
But, as all new owners know, sometimes handling
could be, shall we say, "a Challenge".
In particular, I
had purchased one female alpaca that was a Peruvian
Import. She had been on several larger farms before
we purchased her and, you guessed it, she was
my "problem child" (at least in my eyes.)
She had no problems until it came time for any
sort of handling. She would then scream and spit
at anything that came her way or seemed threatening.
I felt terrible because she probably had never
been taught to lead or anything and every time
we had to handle her for worming or shearing,
it was such a trauma for us all. Previous owners
had said to just trim nails at shearing time but
this just didn't seem right to me because her
nails got so long and so we would wrestle her
until we at least cut them a few time a year.
Her birthing
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time was also a real treat.
I had been taught to get that cria in and dry it off
and weigh it and do all the human things that needed
to be done and do it right away! Well, Bill learned
with Appaluse's first cria born on our farm, WEAR A
RAINCOAT! because she would spit and scream in my ear
(literally) and pull my hair as I leaned down to pick
up the new little one. She would continue to scream
and spit following us up to the barn while we hauled
her new one in to "do our thing".
Marty came to our farm
in June of 2004, because we were lucky enough to be
able to host a 2 day clinic for farms in our area. We
had a full house and everyone took away so many valuable
tools. As I spoke with Marty before the Clinic and she
asked if I had anyone that I would like her to work
with! My eyes lit up - "Ahh Ha - Boy, did I!"
I told her about Applause and said that I really only
wanted to be able to work with her without seeing that
terrified, wild eyed look on her face. I hated doing
the health items that I knew I had to do. Marty smiled
and said she would be happy to work with Applause.
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the first day of the Clinic, we put Applause in
a pen and Marty went in to meet her. Using Camelidynamics
and TTeam techniques, Marty put a halter and lead
on Applause. Now Applause did do some minor screaming
at first, but nothing NEAR what we normally experienced.
I was amazed and thought that I had just witnessed
a miracle. That was it for Applause's Day One and
Marty unhaltered her and let her out with her pasture
mates to think about things. |
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The next day, when it was
time, we again brought Applause into the pen. Marty
again haltered her (not so much as a whimper either!)
and this time was going to lead her. All the clinic
attendees were in a semicircle in chairs around the
area in which Marty was working with Applause. We opened
the pen and Marty lead Applause out. It took Applause
about 30 seconds and you could almost see that she had
FINALLY figured out what that human was asking of her
on the other side of that rope thingie! She understood
- finally.
She walked out with Marty
and came toward the group of attendees. Now, I must
add that Applause has ALWAYS had a personal space of
about 10-15 feet. You couldn't get any closer to her
than that. She just didn't allow it.
So here
is the amazing thing. As she walked around on the lead,
she suddenly saw all the people sitting there and she,
on her own, walked up to each person sitting in the
chairs and gave a nose greeting right in their faces!
Truly this was amazing. Well, by this time I was crying
and Bill was shaking his head and we were believers!
Applause had realized that this was not so bad and that
she knew what was being asked of her. If you want more
stories about Applause, please go to her page.
But suffice it to say, we have a grand relationship
and we now take walks together.
Camelidynamics did that
for us. Marty Bennett has truly blessed our farm and
our alpacas with the knowledge she has chosen to share
with owners of camelids.
Please, if you own camelids
or are thinking about a camelid purchase, you owe it
to yourself and your animals to learn all you can about
this wonderful handling technique. You will be so happy
that you did.
Below is more information
about the Camelidynamics Guild and the Handlers Seal.
Read on and enjoy. If you have any questions or I can
be of any help with your farm, please email me at handler@autumnsky-alpacas.com
What is Camelidynamics?
Camelidynamics is a respectful and effective approach
to training and handling llamas and alpacas developed
Marty McGee Bennett who has been a part of the camelid
industry since 1981. The Camelidynamics approach incorporates
TTEAM and TTOUCH principles and techniques (developed
by Linda Tellington Jones) which have been thoughtfully
adapted for llamas and alpacas. To learn more, visit
http://www.camelidynamics.com/.
What is the Camelidynamics
Guild?
The steady growth of the camelid industry has increased
demand for Camelidynamics education throughout the world.
The number of new owners and breeders are increasing
faster than the Camelidynamics clinic schedule can serve.
The Guild was formed to meet this growing need for education
and resources for the camelid owner who wants to handle
and train their camelids with respect and results.
The Guild Mission:
The Camelidynamics Guild contributes to the well being
of camelids and to the continued success of the camelid
industry by teaching owners and handlers how to manage,
handle and train their animals using methods and techniques
that are FUN, KIND, RESPECTFUL and EFFICIENT.
Guild members enrich their
knowledge and abilities through a variety of educational
channels including hands-on workshops and clinics, an
online forum dedicated to training and handling, guidance
from founder Marty McGee Bennett and a comprehensive
resource library. By contributing to the collective
wisdom and experience, members help continually elevate
the standards of handling llamas and alpacas around
the world. Check out the wealth of knowledge already
in the online forum http://www.camelidynamics.com/guildForum/
What does the Camelidynamics
Handler Seal signify?
The Camelidynamics Handler Seal indicates that the individual
has met minimum educational requirements and has made
a commitment to support the Camelidynamics Guild Mission
of treating the camelids in their care kindly, efficiently,
and respectfully and to work in such a way that the
process is fun. All qualified individuals have been
evaluated during the course of their training and accepted
as a Camelidynamics handler by Camelidynamics founder,
Marty McGee Bennett and the Guild. Individuals bearing
the seal have also agreed to participate in an ongoing
course of continuing education.
How did I qualify?
I am a member of the Camelidynamics Guild and have completed
a 2-day Basics Clinic and a 4-day intensive, hands-on
Advanced Clinic. I have dedicated myself to handling
my camelids with respect and results and have agreed
to support the Camelidynamics Guild Mission. I am committed
to applying the philosophy and techniques of the Camelidynamics
approach to the best of my ability. Learn more http://www.camelidynamics.com/chs/
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