Testimonials

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"I just wanted to drop a few lines about my experience with your clinic at Salvagno Farms. I KNEW that before I even got there that I was going to learn some 'big stuff' about my alpacas, but there is never a more tangible way to experience something than to really EXPERIENCE it-hands on! Not only did your knowledge about camelids 'enthrall' all of us, but your WIT and willingness to help the 'ignorant' really entrapped us in a way of encouragement that there is HOPE for the handlers!! On the way home from your clinic on Saturday, I found myself mentally going through the 4Point process, catch rope, TTeam touch, haltering process! I also found myself at 11:30 pm reading your new book, almost unable to put it down, and my husband saying, "You know, if you're tired, wouldn't it be smart to PUT THE BOOK DOWN"!?? The next day, on the way to Litchfield, I did the same mental process of balancing my animal, walking, etc., etc. It's almost an obsessive madness you have steered me to! Now, two days after your clinic, I have dove headfirst into your book, and am already halfway through. Your presentations, pictures, and style of writing makes for easy and educational reading!! Well done(if I do say so myself-from an amateur point of view)! Anyway, thanks again for a great seminar! I'm so glad I got to meet you, knowing your reputation for being so AWESOME with camelids!! I was NOT disappointed in the least!!" Heather in Ohio

"On the Camelid Companion book wow, wow, wow, it's more amazing than I imagined. I thought the price scary but it's so worth it. It's huge, with so many photos it's going to take forever to read :-) It's very easy to read and understand and with so many photos easy to follow. This has got to be a must buy for anyone training, it's obviously something you would be continuously referring to for years." Julie in New Zealand

"I (and two of my young male alpacas) attended our 1st T Team Clinic held in July '01 at Salvagno Farms in Ohio. I attended the clinic without my husband, who had former horse training, and was one of those "tie 'em up to a rope attached to an inner tube and tie 'em to a sturdy fencepost" types. One of the young male alpacas I brought with me to the clinic was a "raise up on my hind legs and maybe they'll let me go" types, whenever attached to a halter & lead rope. Anyway, within a very short time with you at the Clinic, he was leading like a charm!! I had told you when I left the Clinic and arrived home that I intended to park a good ways from the barn, call out for my husband to observe, and "halter walk" this guy right up the long driveway and back into the pasture. You asked me to let you know my husband's reaction. He just stood there watching, and being a very expressive individual, he said, "I'm impressed"! So, after putting up with my chatter about the Clinic throughout the remainder of the evening and into the next day, he read "The Camelid Companion" front to back (which I've also done), and we began our new halter-handling program almost immediately. We're both enjoying using the body positioning and watching the animals' responses...it's really pretty funny to watch because I can't keep a big grin off my face, and my husband (Mr. Stoneface) has decided that whenever we sell an animal to a new customer, our standard gift package to them will include: A Zephyr halter & lead rope, The Camelid Companion, Nail Nippers w/Holster and (from another source), a small "First Aid for Camelids" booklet. I've also told my husband, Jim, that I want him to attend your Clinic whenever there's another one reasonably nearby our area. I've told him there's no way I could cover everything adequately (even with my endless chatter). Lastly my husband is getting much better at allowing the animals "time to think" about what he wants them to do, which I've always tried to get him to do. That little thing alone pays off in spades. In any event, thanks again for a terrific eye opener and one of the best times I've ever had at a clinic." Sharon in Ohio

"Attending your clinic at Creekside Breeders, was the absolutely best thing I have done since buying my first alpaca. Your methods work with such ease. It's funny to realize that I was the one who needed the training, not the alpacas. Working with them in a way they feel comfortable has made a world of difference. THANK YOU!!! I learned so much in such a short time; I plan on attending another clinic next year to fine tune my skills. Thanks again from my alpacas & me!" Amy in New York

"I attended your training clinic in PA in August. I cannot tell you the number of times I've said to myself "I am so glad I went to Marty's clinic". The day my two alpacas escaped, the knowledge I had from you teaching us about herding saved me from God knows what (along with unexpected help from my Golden Retriever). I want also to tell you that after working with my guys under different circumstances, I became highly cognizant of how and why you designed your alpaca gear the way that you did. Things made for other animals (like leashes and stuff) do not work very well on alpacas. Just to point out specifically, the light flat lead is second to none in giving signals, the little part of light rope at the end makes a huge difference in comfort and control, as well as the clasp that hooks to the halter. I used a dog's leash one day so I could have them both on a lead at once and the little guy was confused and irritated with the heavy clasp hooked to his halter. It just seemed to be so clumsy so I took it off him. You have done an awesome job refining all the essentials for training and caring for these guys. I just ordered another extension lead so that I would have two of them, I hope to walk these guys together so we can venture out into the free world as a treat (when they escaped they seemed to be completely intrigued). I hope things are going well. I am looking forward to you possibly having another clinic near me in Ohio next year, I want to attend another one. I would like to say thank you so much for all that you taught at the clinic, it is a good thing that you are doing." Warmly, Linda in Pennsylvania

"We haven't been home a week and are putting to use your methods. I knew how great they were from the 96 Clinic but having Randy as my partner has produced great results. The female I spoke about at the clinic that kushed and or spit, pee'd and farted all at the same time needed her nails trimmed and a Ivomec shot before leaving for breeding today. We don't have pens with round bars so Randy rigged up a rope and caribiner around a vertical post in one of our stalls. He then caught her up with catch rope, haltered her and tied her in taming the Tiger. She kushed when I tried to trim her nails but I proceeded by reaching under, getting each foot and doing the best I could. He kept her head balanced. I gave her the shot and the whole time she was relaxed, no spitting, not even a gurgle! We didn't have to use drugs and she was 'present' the whole time. His finesse and the short tugs got her over her reluctance about loading in to the trailer without having to use muscle. We can't say enough about the immediate results using gentle persuasion." Karin in Washington