Hephner the alpaca is somewhat of a celebrity. He enjoys trips to the pub, the hair salon and nursing homes, has been a guest of the Sheridan Hotel and has even made himself at home on the Kyle and Jackie O radio show.
On Wednesday, July 19, Hephner, the eight-year-old son of Playgirl, graced the streets of Seymour alongside owner Robert Fletcher, who runs Fletchers Ark Farmyard.
Robert and Hephner are on a two-week pilgrimage from their home town of Goulburn, NSW, travelling south raising funds and awareness for charity Lifeline after Robert lost a friend to suicide in 2022.
Robert, who took leave from his day job for the fundraising effort, knows first hand the joy his furry friend brings.
“He’s one of a kind, that’s for sure. Temperament-wise there is nothing close; he is amazing, they are not normally like this,” Robert said.
“In the nursing homes he zones out as though he knows what he has to do, he wanders around to each client in each room and he stands beside the bed, he is just so happy to do whatever.”
Robert and his animals are no strangers to hitting the streets to spread cheer or raise funds. Animals from Fletchers Ark provide company to children with special needs.
Robert also has a deer that he also takes to nursing homes around Christmas time, although there is one problem.
“The deer poop every 10 minutes, it’s a bit hard,” Robert said.
“[Hephner] is toilet trained so he won’t go until we get back to the trailer. He’s only disgraced himself once in seven years — at Bunnings.”
After popping their heads into a few local businesses and stopping for plenty of pictures, Hepher and Robert carried on their journey.
Robert hopes to make the pilgrimage an annual event. His travels can be followed on Instagram @hephner_the_alpaca or Facebook at ‘Hephner the Alpaca’. Links to donate to Lifeline can also be found on the pages.