The Animal Lover

Occupational therapist harnesses the power of the human-animal connection.

- Jennifer Zeigler

After a morning occupational therapy session, Mona Sams is directing her intern in unpacking the van. “That one can go there,” she says.

She means that rabbit can go there. Five more await in the van, along with three dogs.

Cages clatter and dogs whine, but the ark-on-wheels is actually a little light today. Most days at the office involve the larger members of Mona’s menagerie— a few of the 13 llamas she keeps in Roanoke, Virginia.

Through 31 years, Mona grew her fluffy occupational therapy “staff” to include rabbits, dogs, ducks, goats and a sheep, but the llamas and alpacas are the stars. “I’ve never had a child I couldn’t reach with the animals,” she says.