Rojo the Llama facts for kids
| Species | Llama |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Died | November 6, 2019 |
| Resting place | Washington School for the Blind |
| Nation from | United States |
| Occupation | Therapy animal |
| Owner | Shannon Joy |
| Residence | Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas |
| Named after | Red colouring |
Rojo the Llama was a special llama who worked as a therapy animal. He lived in the Pacific Northwest part of the United States. His owner and handler was Shannon Joy, who was sometimes called the "Llama Mama." Rojo got his name because of his red fur; "rojo" means "red" in Spanish.
Contents
Rojo's Early Life and Training
Rojo began his journey as a show animal in a program called 4-H. This program helps young people learn about animals and farming. When he was five years old, Rojo started training to become a therapy animal. He joined a special program at Dove Lewis, a pet emergency hospital.
What is a Therapy Animal?
A therapy animal is a pet that helps people feel better. They visit hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. Therapy animals bring comfort and joy to people who might be feeling sad or lonely. They can also help people learn and relax.
Rojo's Famous Appearances
Rojo became quite well-known in his community. In 2013, he was chosen as the grand marshal for Portland's Junior Rose Festival parade. This is a big honor, like leading the parade! He also appeared in the city's main Grand Floral Parade in 2019.
A Book About Rojo
Rojo's owner, Shannon Joy, worked hard to share his story. She raised over $8,000 to publish a children's book about him. The book was called Rojo, The Perfectly Imperfect Llama. It helped more people learn about Rojo and his important work.
Auditioning for TV
In 2018, Rojo and Shannon even tried out for a famous TV show called Big Brother. They went to the Ilani Casino Resort for the audition. This shows how popular and unique Rojo was!
Rojo's Retirement and Legacy
Rojo was known as "Portland's most famous therapy animal." After helping many people for twelve years, he retired in 2019. He went back to live on his owner's farm in Ridgefield, Washington.
Saying Goodbye to Rojo
Sadly, Rojo's health began to decline. He passed away on November 6, 2019. To honor his memory, his owners decided to have his body preserved. It will be donated to the wildlife safari room at the Washington School for the Blind. This way, Rojo can continue to bring joy and education to people, even after his passing.
