Testimonials

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"I thought I 'd write you and let you know how things are going at our farm since attending your 3 day clinic at Hickory Bluff Farms about a week ago. There is only one word I can think of that expresses our feelings and that is FANTASTIC! I have been practicing the techniques that you taught us and it is really paying off. First, baby Ivan is*starting to*walk on lead. He is only taking about 5 or 6 steps at a time, but wow, what a difference. He is not fighting or playing mule. Another great success is Mienta, formally known as "Physco B****". I am catching her with the catch rope and wand. Then when adjusted, I massage the back of her head, ears, and muzzle. She has been letting me haulter her with no problem. But today was....well...just amazing. I had a vet appointment this morning, an ultrasound for Mienta to see if she was still pregnant. I usually can not catch the alpacas, let alone take them to the vet by myself, but today I was on my own. I took the two alpacas that had to go to the vet and put them in the catch pen by using the herding tape. Then I got the catch rope out, caught one at a time, haulter them, and loaded them into the trailer with no even a wimper. Once at the vet, I went in connected the lead to Mienta's haulter and lead her out into the ultrasound area. There I placed my hands on Mienta in the bracelet hold and we stood there, balanced, and the vet just looked at us like we were crazy. She told me there was no way that alpaca was going to stand still for the ultrasound. I explained to her that I had just taken an alpaca handling seminar with you, that I felt confident that Mienta was balanced and would stand still for her. The vet was very hesitant, but proceed, and was shocked that Mienta ! just stood I have suggested to our vet that they make arrangements to attend your clinic here in December at Fairhope Alpacas. I thank you from the bottom of my heart." Sincerely, Jodie in Florida

"Thank you so much for coming to Wisconsin this weekend and teaching us alpaca owners some very basic yet critically important aspects of handling our investments. The clinic was laid out in a very thoughtful way. It made it easy for us owners to grasp the concept of the human to camelid relationship. It taught us balance. Not just physical balance for the animal but mental balance for the human. Most memorable was the roll playing part of what it is like to be at the other end of the lead rope. You are a wonderful teacher and the value of your training far outweighed the fee. We could all tell that you have put your heart into educating the camelid owner public, teaching them that if these very special creatures are handled in a respectful way the beneficial reaction is one of great reward. Thanks again!" Sincerely, Tom in Minnesota

"I've just finished reading your Camelid Companion book for about the third time in a week and wanted to contact you to tell you how much I've enjoyed and learned from it. I'm a behavioural scientist and neuropsychologist in Australia. I teach mainly neuropsychology but just recently started up a new course in animal welfare, the first one of its kind in Australia. My research interests are in human-animal interactions, particularly working with companion animals such as dogs. I've worked with racehorses and other animals in the past but in different contexts. I've spent the christmas break working with my new alpacas using your methods and can't believe how quickly they've progressed. I've always worked with animals and have gradually moved from the old crash and burn methods to the more gentler ones but I've never met an animal so much suited to these methods. When we visited alpaca studs to select our animals, they were universally caught by being herded into a small pen, jumped on and wrestled into submission. I was sure there had to be a better way. Within a week of their arrival I can catch and handle all of my girls in their catch pen and they come to meet me when they see me walking out. I've had halters on five of the eight with very little fuss. I expected it to be much more difficult. My original plan was to get this generation to a point where I could get close enough to work with their babies, and to concentrate on the next generation, but I've now revised that considerably. My new aim is to have these ladies quiet enough to be shorn standing up by this time next year. Well some of them anyway! I loved the way you expressed your ideas in the book in a way that 'normal' people can understand. I always struggle to convey the basic concepts of body language and where you should stand in relation to an animal. Cheers from Aus and thanks again for the great reading material." Pauleen in Australia

"Hi Marty: Just thought you might be interested in our little eye-opener; and may want to share this with others: San Diego just went through it's worst fire storm in recorded history; and we were in the middle of it. While we were extremely fortunate to NOT have to evacuate, with fire all around us, we began packing at 4 am with all intentions to jam all 9 llamas into our small trailer and leave for god-knows-where. We like to be prepared, so we have numerous halters of various types: 3-way adjustable halters, lots of fixed nose halters that "came with the llamas, "several adjustable nose halters, and only 2 Zepher halters (aka "My Training Halters"). With growing babies and yearlings - it is hard to always have a halter sized and ready to fit. But, we were sure we had halters to fit everyone, there should never be a problem . . . right??? Wrong. As we rushed to pack all our stuff, gather up all the non-llama critters, and back the truck and trailer into the llama fields - ready to load - we also had to gather, pen, and halter all the llamas. Wouldn't you know - with only 9 llamas and over 20 halters - we didn't have halters enough to properly fit all the llamas without changing halters from one llama to the next until everyone looked halfway decent! And at a time like this, rapid and proper halter fit is even more critical than when leisurely preparing for a casual walk around the property!! While our story may initially look like a great marketing tool, to us, it is a lifesaving tool. We have just ordered more Zepher Halters so that we will NEVER be in a situation like this again. It is more than a "training halter." The ease and adjustability (especially the headpiece) of this halter is exactly what we need in an emergency - to assure good fit for both a panic'd exit and during temporary housing at another ranch or facility. Thank you to both you and Perry for designing these halters. Rick and I are sorry we were unable to attend this year's clinic at Joan's- but we're aiming for next year. Hope all is well. Look forward to seeing you soon at a clinic next year." Rick & Wanda Crook

"Dear Marty, I just have to tell you again that I am having great success with my animals these days since the clinic. Some have gone from frantically trying to get out of the catch pen, to ending the session by not wanting to leave the catch pen as they watch in puzzlement when I suddenly stop massaging their heads and exit without them. We enjoy each other so much more. I showed a woman some of the techniques the other day and she was able to get a halter on her three 18 month old boys for the first time. She was ecstatic and will be ordering a bunch of stuff. I did a shearing, and maintenance job that included cutting teeth. These two boys still liked me at the end of it all. We took our time and relaxed when we needed to with some mouth and ear work. This has given me the direction I needed to find more meaning in my relationships with my animals. For example, the big pregnant one had a little black girl. After some work in the catch pen, now out in the paddock, I will walk up to her and work her head and back. The cria will come up and check me out and I have been able to begin to work her head as well. They all look at me differently these days. We now have things to do together, so we spend more time together!" Eric in Arizona

"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