A little surprise just before Christmas ... We decided to enrich the blog of a column called "Les Echos OF RAMA" (Relationship Help the Animal Mediation). It will allow you to meet with project leaders and much different skill profiles! Didier VERNAY intends to drive and take you to the meeting Gobert Eric and his llamas! Sandie

The RAMA started at the medical school of Clermont-Ferrand. Students of the first draft, promo "Marie-Claude Lebret," are in preparatory work. The theoretical sessions begin in February. Upstream of entries, each candidate was interviewed by the Education Committee. We have identified 30 people with rich and varied routes. This was the occasion of successful contacts and I propose a column, "Echoes of THE RAMA" to give you some information and give voice to certain persons holding shares or outstanding projects. It was inaugurated by Eric Gobert, breeder of llamas in the Pyrenees.

Can you introduce yourself Eric?

After more than twenty years at the Department of Defense, I decided to change lanes to give priority to my family life. So in 2004 I created the breeding of Lamas Val d'Azun . Based on this activity, I suggest tours of the farm to the general public and school children as part of the network Welcome to the farm . Moreover, convinced of the beneficial effects of animals on human beings, I founded the association Pat'à Heart , in which we organize mediation sessions animal for all types of disabilities with our llamas.

© Gobert Eric

How did you hear lamas?

It is pure coincidence. Indeed, I always wanted to have llamas without really knowing them. I just knew they were excellent Bushmen. Five years ago while I was sitting with my wife in Estaing, we decided to buy one or two to maintain our ground. Not knowing them, we first visited farms and have sought information on the Internet, on sites French and Anglo-Saxon. We discovered then all that could be done with these atypical animals and we started ...

What are the skills of the llama that you find interesting in the field of AAA?

Apart from the principle that all animals can be educated shares of AAA, the llama has aptitudes that can be used with several pathologies. In the preamble it is important to note that all llamas are not suitable for such activities, as all dogs are not all or horses. They are selected and trained.

To answer your question specifically, first his size can go almost anywhere (elevator, stairs, etc.). It can also address a person in bed or sitting without having the urge to move and when the person is standing, it is at its height. Moreover, in the twinkling of an eye we can say that the llama is an animal vertical. Indeed, when one is facing him, her head may represent a person's head, neck and torso can be compared to the body of a human being and the two front legs to the legs. In addition, the lama often look in the eye.

This is an animal that is becoming very quiet and, to communicate, will use most often his body. I compared this to body communication of Chinese characters. Depending on the position of the head, ears, nose, neck and tail, these signs made in part or all want to say different things, which will be very significant in the infra-verbal communication with people suffering.

Is there an indication in your experience or a particularly sensitive public that the product meets with llamas?

For all audiences, the first encounter with a llama caused astonishment because few people have the habit of meeting. We are fortunate to have several llamas mediators who will be chosen to work with a particular pathology. If we operate with troubled youth, we will impose a llama and a lot of effort to get to physical contact. The "Young said" will have to channel their energy in order to "tame" animals. However, with our seniors, we will use a llama calm, patient and that will be appreciated by the sweetness of his attitudes and coat.

© Gobert Eric - Meeting with seniors

There is no kind of coat color in the llama, which also allows us to choose according to the public. Some people are more impressed by the dark so we use a clear or white llama.

Can you describe some types of interventions?

With seniors with Alzheimer's disease, we will intervene even within their living and they will, after a first tactile contact, working with a psychologist and / or speech, on the animal itself sessions by brushing and feeding and even hugs. Then, after the departure of the animals, we will hold sessions with a practicing diction for example (it is lucky it was Lama easy to articulate) and working memory by presenting pictures of animals, etc. ...

However, if we have an audience of people with Down syndrome, after contact, brushing, etc. ... we will introduce them to the guidance of Lama along. Then we will organize a fun obstacle course or the infirm may be expressed physically with her llama. To arrive, after several sessions, tailored trips.

© Gobert Eric - Walk adapted

Are there bibliographic references or websites dedicated to llamas that hold your interest?

The only existing bibliographic llamas is a book published some years ago, by Dr. Bernard Giudicelli Vet and his wife Christiane raising llamas and alpacas for over twenty-five years. This book "Llamas Alpacas, know them, raise them" is considered the bible of the holders of camelids. For the sites dedicated to llamas in France and abroad, they deliver only superficial information, certainly giving the desire to know more, but do not fit in the details.

However, to my knowledge no site or book that addresses the AAA with llamas.

What advice would you give to people who want to work with llamas in programs of AAA?

Most important is to know his or her animals in order to provide quality activities, but also in an atmosphere of maximum security. Although zero risk does not exist, we can try to decrease it. I know, this advice is adaptable to all species, but it seems important to emphasize again and again.

It is a little harder to promote activities with llamas, because many people, not knowing that animal or rub elbows with a circus or a zoo, have a lot of prejudice against him. Thus, when one makes contact with a structure to offer AAA, before even looking for the interest to residents, one wonders about the llama ..... We work with lions that responses would not be more amazing.

After the first contact or first visit the "decision makers" on our home: everything works out happily .....

To learn more about:

The élavage Eric: The Lamas of the Val d'Azun .

The association Pat'à Heart

Lamas: "Llamas Alpacas, know them, raise them," Bernard and Christiane Giudicelli about 30 euros

The RAMA OF:

- Notes: University degree - Relationship Help with Mediation Animal and Some clarifications in response to questions about the OF RAMA

- the blog of THE

Didier VERNAY

Bookmark on: