About Marty McGee Bennett

How It All Began

It’s hard for me to believe until I look in the mirror, but 2026 marks my 45th year in this love affair with llamas and alpacas. My first llama jumped off the back of a pickup truck and into my heart in 1981, and I’ve never looked back. Since then, I’ve devoted my professional life—and to a large extent my personal life—to the well-being of camelids and the education of the people who love them.

The Unlikely Path

I planned to be a veterinarian in college and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Behavior. But I flunked physics and ended up in the army instead. Life has a sense of humor—today, a significant part of what I teach is the physics of animal handling! Understanding leverage, balance, and biomechanics turns out to be everything when working with 300-pound animals who have their own opinions about being caught.

Learning by Doing

In the early years, I was a fiber artist. Back then, nobody sheared llamas—we all wanted to show off how much wool they had! After successfully breeding llamas with more and more fleece, shearing suddenly became an emergency, and I found myself selected to shear some of the famous studs of the day. I’ll never forget shearing an 11-year-old male who had never been shorn in his life. I found a dead snake in his fleece.

Over the years, I’ve raised both llamas and alpacas across two different decades, in two different states, with two different husbands. I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and most importantly, why.

Around the World

I’ve traveled over a million miles to five continents and at least 25 countries, teaching in every state in the United States except Rhode Island (still waiting for that invitation!). I’ve taught over 600 clinics, worked with veterinary colleges around the world, and even served as assistant cook on a research expedition in Patagonia to collect data on guanaco births. Try making oatmeal in an outdoor kitchen for 30 people in a 40 mile an hour wind!

The Science Behind CAMELIDynamics

My knowledge of the science of behavior, combined with years spent studying with some of the most influential animal trainers and teachers in the world—Linda Tellington-Jones, Terry Ryan, Karen Pryor, Bob Bailey, Dr. Susan Friedman, and Teresa McKeon—has made CAMELIDynamics the world’s most enduring training and handling system for camelids. The method is safe for both human and camelid, can be used by anyone regardless of their size, shape, or age, and is a humane and kind approach to handling and training.

Recognition and Impact

Both major textbooks on llamas and alpacas—Llama and Alpaca Care and Medicine and Surgery of Camelids—include entire chapters on handling using CAMELIDynamics. My book, The Camelid Companion, published in 2001 and now in its 4th printing, has received rave reviews in publications worldwide.

Today

I now live in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, with my husband Brad and our golden doodle Stanley. I no longer raise camelids myself, but I’m far from retired. These days, I’m focused on something different but equally important: preserving this knowledge and empowering others to carry it forward.

I’m creating an interactive digital edition of The Camelid Companion—combining comprehensive written guidance with embedded video demonstrations of every technique. This multimedia resource represents the culmination of 45 years of expertise and will serve as the definitive guide for current and future generations of camelid enthusiasts.

I’m also dedicated to supporting and expanding the global network of CAMELIDynamics Certified Consultants—trained professionals who bring this methodology directly to camelid owners worldwide.

Why This Work Still Matters

After 45 years and over a million miles, camelids and their people continue to amaze and delight me every single day. I’ve seen what’s possible when humans and animals work together with mutual respect and understanding. I’ve watched “problem” animals transform into willing partners. I’ve seen overwhelmed owners discover confidence and joy in working with their herds.

That transformation—from force to partnership, from frustration to flow—is what CAMELIDynamics is all about. And whether you learn through my online courses, attend one of my select in-person workshops, work with a certified consultant, or study the comprehensive digital guide when it launches, my goal remains the same as it was in 1981: helping you build the best possible relationship with these remarkable animals.

Because they deserve it. And so do you.