Pisco the therapy llama makes his rounds cheering up terminally ill patients - pics

[Kadie]

So how are we feeling today? Pisco the therapy llama makes his rounds cheering up terminally ill patients at the Hospice of Saint John in Lakewood, Colo.
Photo: John Moore / Getty Images

http://www.sfgate.com





LAKEWOOD, CO - SEPTEMBER 01: Terminally ill hospice patient Helen Kress feeds Pisco, a 13-year-old therapy llama, during his visit to the Hospice of Saint John on September 1, 2009 in Lakewood, Colorado. The llama visits the hospice each month as part of an animal therapy program designed to increase happiness, decrease loniliness and calm terminally ill patients during the last stage of life. The non-profit hospice, which serves on average 200 people at a time, is the second oldest hospice in the United States. The hospice accepts patients regardless of their ability to pay, although most are covered by Medicare or Medicaid. End of life care has become a contentious issue in the current national debate on health care reform. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images

http://jezebel.com/5350687/me-and-my-llama

[SpiralHawk]

1. "This sounds like socialized medicine." - Republicon Homelanders for Insurance Co. Profits

eom

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. That's risky -

llamas spit.

I had one spit on me, and I ended up having to throw away the sweater I was wearing - the smell was that bad.

I spent time in a rehab center, having to learn to walk again, and there were a lot of people who came through with all kinds of dogs to visit the elderly patients in the nursing home part of the place. Man, those dogs got more treats than they ever dreamed! It was a really good thing for the patients, and if a llama makes someone laugh, if only for a while, that is just wonderful.

Whatever works - anything should be possible...........................................

[valerief]

3. What a groovy llama! nt

[The Straight Story]

4. Don't let peta hear about this

[virgogal]

5. Oh God I want one------right now!!! (Bad week so far)

[stevedeshazer]

6. That's really cool.

As a kid, I got paid to tend a llama at the local county fair. It was a very friendly animal and didn't spit on me or anyone else in the week it was in my care.

[DarthDem]

7. That's Adorable

Very, very sweet. I'm glad that they do this.

[gmoney]

8. At least it's not named "Dolly"

or "Dali" even.

Once a month seems a little infrequent... slacker llamas!

"Llamas are larger than frogs."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbwkkXGmFrI

Seriously, I think this looks like a great program.

[Richard D]

9. I really hate doing this to you . . .

. . . but I'm going to anyway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMYN4djSq7o

It's such a nice idea. A happy and adjusted llama almost never gets pissed off and spits. They have to be pretty annoyed to do that.

[Kadie]

11. ROFL!

That vid was funny!

[madrchsod]

13. that was funny......

[Ian David]

10. At least it's not The Death Cat. n/t

[madrchsod]

12. that is so cool.....

i know when i`ve been sick or recovering from my surgeries i`d be lost with out my dog by my side