About Us

Christine Dunham and George Caldwell moved their care facility for developmentally disabled to Sonora in the spring of 1982. Shortly after there appeared an article in the Sonora Union Democrat which proclaimed Tuolumne County to be a very good place to raise llamas.  

Circle Home the care facility became the home of llamas as Llamas of Circle Home was born in January of 1983. A pair of llamas from Oakhurst joined with a pair of llamas from Chico to usher in this new undertaking.  

This was a fascinating time of learning new skills and gaining insights into the care of llamas. The family minivan was utilized to take the llamas to shows, for breeding and also into the mountains to acquire packing skills.  

The llamas became part of the family. Their demeanor and apparent understanding of the ways of people, coupled with their intelligence and their desire to want to please us encouraged us to please them as well. We worked the llamas constantly. When we were not working the llamas we were building new shelters or fencing or gates or irrigation to give the llamas a safe and healthy environment to grow and prosper.  

Soon a one ton Dodge van was purchased to facilitate the transportaion of more llamas.  When we traveled in the van with the llamas they would let us know when they needed to go. We told them to hold for a few minutes while we found a suitable off ramp and a quiet place to park. If we chose a rest area for our pit stop we were surely met by many fellow travelers who were happily drawn to check out our long necked passengers. Early on we were struck by how much happiness the llamas brought to all those who happened to meet the llamas on the road.  

In 2005 we ventured to Peru in an attempt to discover what culture would produce these amazing creatures.  By that time we viewed the llamas as “the dolphins of the land animals” because they were so much more intelligent and social than “animals of flight” should be. We were looking to meet the people and their llamas to ask many questions.  

It turned out that the llamas and their care givers were not that readily found. Our guide assured us we would have the opportunity to meet the people and their llamas. Near the end of our stay in Peru we realized that would not happen. We managed to get away from our tour group and hired someone to take us to the La Raya llama research facility which is maintained by the University of Cusco. We met the llama michiq who were responsible for the llamas and research there. When we told them we traveled to Peru to meet the present day llama michiq. They replied with great enthusiasm, shouting LLAMA MICHIQ!. There were several chorus of this proclamation, with fists high in the air as they acknowledged we were also Llama Michiq.  

Instantly Christine and I were brothers and sisters with the land of the brothers and sisters. The land is the brothers and sisters, as Pacha Mama is the land, given freely by the Mother, Pacha Mama. The land there is a living being or consciousness which should be respected and loved.  

The lesson from the Ancient Andes evolves as its residents evolve. It is always one of Harmony.  Everything and everyone needs nourishment. The Father sends his Light Energy every day to warm and feed his People. The People of the land seek harmony and reciprocity in a culture ruled by ideals of a matriarchal society.  

We have been in the employ of the llamas for over half of our lives. While we care about our llamas dearly, we care about all llamas. We assisted Pacha Mama in birthing 220 cria (llama babies) in our first 25 years of operation. We ceased production when we realized there were no more good, caring homes. We care for those llamas surviving as well as others we have accepted into our care for as long as we can.  

We have also purchased 11 young llamas in the last three years for the purpose of becoming Therapy Llamas. This does not exist in any sustainable form at present. These young llamas are definitely therapeutic. They will continue to sense their power and learn how to use it.  

We are so very blessed to have Fred Clarke Alvarez bring his knowledge of the Ancient Andes Wisdom and Culture to Llamas of Circle Home. His actions combined with ours is intended to educate llamas about people so they can utilize their special energetic coupling with people for the good of humanity. If the llamas can find a home in the field of mental health they have a much better chance of survival. So would the people, their speechless brothers.