This Hospital Invited A Therapy Llama To Visit Patients

A therapy llama named Pearl had a very sweet visit with a hospital in Tennessee recently.

You've probably seen therapy dogs, but therapy llamas are on a whole other level.

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This is Pearl. Late last month, she stopped by Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital in Germantown, Tennessee, WMC Action News 5 reported.

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"Studies show simply petting an animal lowers the level of cortisol, a stress hormone, so patients are less stressed," hospital COO Diane Ridgway told Methodist Healthcare. "Studies also show dopamine, a blood chemical associated with happiness, goes up."

Pearl is part of Mid South Therapy Dogs and Friends, a nonprofit that visits hospitals, schools, libraries and other spots with furry friends in tow.

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She isn't the only therapy llama — groups like Mountain Therapy Llamas and Alpacas have also been on the scene for years.

She visited with patients, families, and employees.

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"Seeing the llama definitely brightened my day, and it brightens the patient's day and it makes their stay a little better," nursing student Blair Slater told WMC Action News 5.

One lucky man even stole a smooch.

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This is the best llama news since The Great Llama Escape of 2015.

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