Am I just annoying the llama?

Let me lay out the context for the question. Sorry for the length.

The llama, Ricky, is a gelding at a non-profit educational farm. (Not many kids since the pandemic, of course.)

No human lives on site.

He is the sole llama at the farm and I believe he is there to keep an eye on the goats and sheep, (and for children to learn about llamas.)

The employees at the farm are interested in sustainable agriculture rather than animal husbandry. (There are also pigs, chickens, a cow, four horses, ducks, rabbits, and a tortoise.)

There are two employees and otherwise everyone else is a volunteer and in my time volunteering there, only one person has been there longer than I have, and I have been volunteering there 2 hours a week for about 7 months. The other volunteer, V., is the only person who worked with the previous owners and stayed on with the farm after it sold. I only realized the other day that she is the only person who knows anything about the way Ricky had been treated previously. And I realized, of course, that I have no idea how others are interacting with Ricky on a regular basis - meaning food, clean-up, medicine, shearing, toe nails.

Ricky does not like to be touched. In previous attempts - before I borrowed The Camelid Companion from the library - I man-handled him or watched others man-handle him to get the halter on him. (And more man-handling to remove the halter; one has to screw up one's courage.)

Ricky is a constant spitter - well, I would describe it more like a wet, smelly sneeze, not full on green spit.

I have read the Camelid Companion through twice and have purchased the clicker equipment, the halter, the wands, etc. Just awaiting their arrival.

Though I have donated money and time to the farm, I am not in a position to make changes to the barn layout and such. There is an area about 12' by 25' that I have worked with Ricky separate from the goats and sheep.

My goal is to spend time with a llama... so to walk with him and maybe even be his advocate at the farm, nothing more than that. I would like to be able to halter him without any spitting. We walk together nicely - particularly given I let him graze the whole time. I am not responsible for his care, his nails, his teeth, shearing or anything. Just someone who wants to spend time with a llama.

So, am I just wasting my time and annoying the llama? Is my cause worthwhile?

Here is a typical stance - out of balance and gearing up for a spit/sneeze:


Thank you for any help.