
Nils Lantzke with two of his trained therapy alpacas. Photo: File.
There’s sad news about some of Canberra’s most dedicated carers: Nils Lantzke has decided it’s time to retire his therapy alpacas after almost two decades bringing the gentle, nurturing animals together with people who are dying, seriously ill or struggling with severe mental health issues.
Many Canberrans will fondly remember seeing his first alpaca, Honeycomb, travelling around town in the back of Nils’ red hatchback. More recently, he was overwhelmed by the public’s generosity after his alpacas Mimosa and Hercules were savaged by an unleashed dog while walking on the bike path adjacent to Baldwin Drive in Giralang in 2019.
Inexplicably, the owner filmed the attack rather than intervening. To date, nobody has been charged although Mimosa’s injuries were devastating and she had to be put down as a consequence. But a community effort spearheaded by hit104.7 brought Paprika into his life.
READ ALSO: Alpaca Therapy welcomes the generous gift of baby Paprika
Nils says a mix of factors has influenced his decision to call it a day on the therapy program.
COVID-19 restrictions prevented him from taking the alpacas into many of the places where they’ve worked in the past, feed has become more difficult to access and, more than anything, he is just tired.
“To be honest, I’ve had 17 years without a break aside from an injury, but even then, we were still meeting people,” he tells Region Media. “I’m feeling a bit tired and not in great shape as time marches on. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
The animal therapy idea took root in 1994 when Nils was volunteering as a massage therapist at the Canberra Hospital, working with people who were dying.
“There was a patient who had a brain tumour and had gone blind but loved animals. I borrowed a baby rabbit from a pet shop and took it in so she could touch it. I just laid it on her chest.
“The look on her face was magical and I knew I was onto something special.”
Nils acquired his first alpaca, Honeycomb, in October 2003. Honeycomb’s mother had died in a paddock at Captains Flat, but Honeycomb miraculously survived, coming to live with Nils in suburban Canberra. Nils walked the tiny alpaca around the streets and was approached by a woman he knew whose elderly father had not spoken in years.
“She asked if I could take Honeycomb to meet him. I took the old gentleman’s hand and put it on Honeycomb’s woolly little head. Then the old man repeated Honeycomb’s name, very slowly – and started speaking again.
“All I ever wanted was to create smiles, and that’s what we’ve been able to do.”
Nils says that taking the alpacas into Clare Holland House, the Adult Mental Health Unit and hospitals has never been a problem. Managers and clinicians saw the value immediately and Nils’ work has inspired others too. People in the United States and Norway have been in touch to say that they’re taking their animals into nursing homes.
Nils is proud of that.
“It’s nice to think that my alpacas have sparked interest in other people,” he says. “It’s all about spreading love.”
The alpacas are highly sensitive animals and seem to have a particular awareness that the end of life is approaching or that patients are particularly vulnerable, including those struggling with cancer, motor neurone disease and severe mental health issues.
“Alpacas and llamas are instinctively among the most protective animals on earth, and I saw that again and again. I remember Honeycomb lying at the bedside of a patient who was very close to death, instinctively offering him protection and Hercules at the bedside of a tiny little boy who was dying, standing in the alert position to take care of him,” Nils says.
“Willow is incredibly sensitive, and she always knew when someone was hurting, even if they hadn’t let people around them know.”
These days, the alpacas reside at Wallaroo and Nils travels out frequently to feed his friends their favourite treats – carrots, dates and sultanas.
He’s not sure what comes next for him and the flock of friends who have brought so much joy to so many at difficult times in their lives. But knowing how much pleasure he has brought to those facing immense challenges has been a privilege and an honour, he says.
Ashton Xaypangna never got to go 😞😞
Lindy Le ima buy you one
Job well done neils we will all miss you and your alpacas..
Well done all those years
Chloe Granger new career?!
Nils you have done almighty work. Thank you!
❤Great work.
Thank you for everything. Enjoy your retirement 💕
Seeing “honeycomb”with head outside of the car window,one of the most unique things I saw at epic farmers market over 9 years.enjoy your break/retirement.a big loss to everybody you’ve touched
All the very best Nils. Thanks for the beautiful memories 🤗
Enjoy your retirement Nils and take lots of time for yourself now! Your work is inspiring and I often saw you at TCH walking with your beautiful Alpacas. You all brought a smile to my face and brightened my day each and every time.
I hope you have a wonderful retirement Nils. We met you at Claire Holland House, your alpacas bought the best smile to my sister's face (i was able to catch it on camera), it was the last time I seen her smile. Thank you ❤❤
What a loss to the community.
All the best to him I’m sure they have brightened many people’s days
They have been a wonderful resource and will be much missed. Best wishes to Nils and alpacas for whatever they do next.
Enjoy your retirement Nils .. you have done a wonderful job over many years with your beautiful alpacas
We only just heard about this program and it's closing now. So sad. I hope another one opens up....😪
Bless him and his alpacas 🌈
good luck in your retirement Nils
Naveenya Annan, didn’t realise this was a thing and now I’m sad 😕
Thank you for your kindness, you were so kind to my mum in her last days
You will be missed
Good luck with retirement
Meeting you and your alpacas out walking is a great part of our family memories. Thank you and happy retirement Nils