When I first got alpacas, I knew I’d be a responsible owner, but I didn’t expect to love them as much as I do. In loving them so much and yet not knowing what I didn’t know about handling and training, it seemed incredibly wrong to grab, shove, and be exasperated in the whole process of managing my herd and their health. I sought out training opportunities and was referred to Marty McGee Bennett and CAMELIDynamics. I’d heard stories of Marty McGee Bennett and her teaching approach which painted her in a near-legendary light. In truth, I attended my first workshop with tempered expectations figuring I’d learn ‘more clever ways of wrestling my herd into submission.’ I was delighted when hat my expectations were far exceeded! As I sat in my first CAMELIDynamics, I had the realization that I could build trust and work with my animals instead of dominating and defeating them. As I sat in Day 1 of my first workshop, the realization that I would never again have to man-handle alpacas literally brought tears to my eyes. Learning Marty’s approach has truly been herd-life altering.
A year later, I decided to attend a second CAMELIDynamics workshop. The second workshop covered similar material to that in the first, so I thought it would be a good refresher, but likely less transformative than the first. Yet again, I was wrong! In going through the material and hands-on exercises with Marty and the other alpaca and llama owners, the lessons learned in the first workshop (and, admittedly, the practices I hadn’t fully grasped because I was such a new alpaca owner) were not only solidified, but also were more comfortable and even familiar. I gained a deeper understanding behind why handling my alpacas in the way Marty teaches will work well for today and pave the way for a deepened trust with my herd. I even had the confidence to work with the host’s llamas, a completely new experience for me! Even though I was nervous, I managed to catch, halter, lead, and connect with several llamas without the least bit of drama! In recognizing how effective my second CAMELIDynamics workshop was, there is no question I will attend more workshops in the years to come!
Marty, my herd and I thank you for having such a positive and significant influence over our collective comfort with one another!!
~ Marykay Mentzer, Decatur Alpaca Cottage
