“Alpaca Joe” Brings Joy to Irish Nursing Homes with Woolly Animal Therapy

Joe Phelan’s alpaca therapy program in Ireland is bringing smiles, comfort, and calm to elderly and special-needs communities—one fuzzy visitor at a time.

NEW TOWN MOUNT KENNEDY, Ireland, March 27 — In a heartwarming scene straight out of a feel-good film, Irish farmer Joe Phelan, affectionately known as “Alpaca Joe,” walked two fluffy alpacas down the hallway of Oakfield Nursing Home, delighting residents who eagerly waited their turn to pet the gentle animals.

At 64, Joe has crafted a second act that’s as unique as it is meaningful. A decade ago, he swapped office life for farming and quickly realized that traditional agriculture wouldn’t be sustainable for him. Instead, he invested in something more unconventional—alpacas. What began with seven animals and a leap of faith has grown into a herd of 71 alpacas and two llamas on his K2Alpacas farm in Newtownmountkennedy, just 30 km south of Dublin.

Initially offering “alpaca & prosecco” treks and alpaca wool products, Phelan soon discovered a new calling for his animals: therapy. Their soothing presence, large soulful eyes, and gentle humming began to uplift elderly visitors and individuals with additional needs, including children with autism and adults with Down syndrome.

“They just lift everybody’s spirits,” Phelan shared. “You see it in their faces when they interact. It’s calming, grounding. The alpacas have a gift.”

Today, K2Alpacas employs 11 people, welcomes visitors for farm stays, and partners with local schools and care centers. The therapeutic sessions are handled by specially selected alpacas known for their social nature. Joe even packed two of his friendliest males into a van for the special trip to Oakfield Nursing Home.

Sineád Meegan, the nursing home’s activities coordinator, discovered the farm on TikTok and quickly arranged a visit. “The smiles were everywhere,” she said. “It triggered memories for some of our residents who grew up around farm animals. We’ll definitely be inviting them again.”