Goatie and Frank
MoMo and Monique
Cynthia and Lalu
Goatie and Frank
"I've had many residents ask for your return!"
Plymouth Harbor
Meet the Boys!
What is Goat Therapy?
Goat therapy consists of playing with goats, feeding them snacks, petting them, snuggling with them, brushing them, and/or taking photos for emotional comfort, enjoyment, or satisfaction.
In the beginning, there were goats...
The idea of goats being therapeutic for me started two years ago when I first laid eyes on a beautiful, black goat named Daisy. Of the six goats, ten cats, and two pigs I pet-sat, the goats were an easy favorite (especially the biggest and friendliest goat, Bubba). I was responsible for feeding them and locking them up at night, but I willingly spent most of my day with them because being in their presence made me feel so calm and present. They were always so independent, curious, and playful, which reminded me of my inner child.
I then decided I wanted my own goats and invested time and resources into becoming more knowledgeable about how to properly care for them. My boyfriend helped me build a fence and house for them in the backyard. I located a breeder who is an expert on raising Nigerian Dwarf goats as naturally as possible (and chemical-free), and through her, I eventually brought home my "kids."
Queen Daisy
King Bubba
Princess Penelope
Peasants
Jake, Bruno, & Ben
Where We're Going
The idea of goats being therapeutic for others started after I began walking my boys at Celery Fields and Bayfront Park.
People light up at the sight of these goats. Many often think I'm walking a dog at first glance, but upon realizing it's a goat, they smile or laugh, losing any kind of serious demeanor they may have had. For some people, it's their first time seeing a goat in real life. For others, seeing a goat again inspires them to recall memories of heartfelt stories from their life.
Someone once said that the way the goats ate out of their hands reminded them of feeding kangaroos back in Australia. Someone else told me that they had mixed emotions surrounding goats because they grew up with their grandmother, who raised goats that they would name and love only to one day be served for dinner. I have also met people of all ages who see my goats and tell me that they've always wanted goats or that they dream of having them one day.
Goats have a unique effect on people, bringing them into the present moment, only to help them remember the past, and/or dream of a brighter, many times, simpler future.
FAQ
Q. Are the goats potty trained?
a. Goats are ruminant animals meaning they are constantly digesting food in all 4 of their stomachs. Because of this, they cannot hold in their pee or poop the way a dog or cat could. Their poop comes out as odorless, hard, separated, oval-shaped pellets, and it happens to be one of the best fertilizers around! Because of this, our goats typically participate in outdoor-only events.
Q. Do you have insurance?
a. No, but I do outline all potential risks involved with interacting with goats prior to booking an event and have all participants sign an agreement stating that my business and I are not responsible for any property or personal damages. The goats are gentle for the most part. Goats like to nibble out of curiosity but they don't have teeth on the top, only on the bottom, so they can't bite unless something (ie: someone's finger, hair, or clothing) gets to the back of their mouth where their molars can do damage. Goats do have hooves, not paws, that are trimmed regularly but can still scratch. We recommend wearing long pants or a skirt that covers most of the legs in case the goat jumps up during an interaction. Goats love to climb (hence the popular trend of goat yoga) but these goats will be on leashes to avoid them climbing up on furniture or participants who do not wish to hand-feed them. Each participant is allowed to decide what they are comfortable with during their goat interaction (hand-feeding, petting, brushing, holding, etc.) and accept all risks involved. Our goats are all disbudded so they do not have horns which significantly decreases the risk of any serious injury.
Q. What about allergies?
a. Goats have hair, not fur, so they are considered hypoallergenic. I, myself, am allergic to fur so I love that I'm able to snuggle the goats without getting itchy.
Q. Aren't Nigerian Dwarves loud?
a. Goats do not bark like dogs, but they do bleat—mostly when they are hungry, thirsty, horny, sick, or when they want attention. Our goats are all wethers (castrated males) so they don't smell or behave like aggressive bucks nor do they go into heat like the milk-producing does. Wethers are sweet, friendly, and a popular favorite for pets—as they do not experience hormonal mood swings. Nigerian Dwarves are louder than most breeds, but ours tend to cry only when they want food or attention. So we make sure to keep them well-fed and give them lots of love! Nigerian Dwarves are also one of the most beloved miniature goat breeds among families, hobby farmers, and petting zoos due to their sweet nature, playful personalities, as well as being generally good with small children.
Q. How long do you stay?
a. I'm very flexible. It depends on the level of interest. Typically 1-2 hours.
Q. What do you charge?
a. For goat therapy sessions at my property, I charge a $12 donation ticket per person, with options for custom donation tickets to make it as financially accessible as possible. To host an event at your facility, I'm very flexible with pricing. I am happy to work around what makes the most sense for you and your residents depending on your budget.
Q. Why can't you only bring 2 goats?
a. We cannot bring only two goats though because that would mean leaving one alone at home, and because goats are herd animals, that would be stressful for the one who is left behind. To bring all three, I will have to have a helper with me.
Q. What time of day is best for this kind of event?
a. Early or late afternoon tends to work out best. The goats go to bed around sunset so by the time evening rolls around, they're pretty tired. Between 12-4 pm are ideal times.
Q. How old are the goats?
a. They were born in October 2022, so they recently celebrated their second birthday.