Goating Around at Wacol: A unique experience for participants

At Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) Wacol, training sessions have taken an exciting turn with the introduction of goat training. Led by Senior Program Trainer Kiz, who has a deep affection for these playful and smart animals, the program offers participants a rare opportunity to engage with farm animals in a hands-on setting.

The Joy of Goat Training

Working with goats has been a joyful experience for participants, not just for the fun and affection these animals bring, but for the unique learning opportunities they offer. “Goats are sassy, playful, smart, and affectionate”, Kiz shares. “They love interacting with humans and training them has added a whole new dimension to our sessions.”

The goats, like dogs at the shelter, require training and attention to develop adoptable behaviours but also promote positive well-being while in a shelter environment. Through various enrichment activities, including social, sensory, and cognitive enrichment, the goats are learning to interact with humans in ways that make them noticeably happier, more adoptable and easier to care for.

As part of Enrichment Month at HPHH, participants are engaging the goats in a variety of activities designed to stimulate their minds and bodies. “We’re documenting the methods used and the interactions between the goats during these enrichment activities”, Kiz explains. These activities include brushing and grooming (sensory enrichment) and target training (cognitive enrichment), where the goats are rewarded for touching a target on command.

Target training is a common technique and activity used with a variety of animals in HPHH programs and has been particularly effective with the goats.

“They’re very food motivated,” says Kiz. Using a ball and a stick, the goats are taught to touch the target in exchange for a treat. This training is not only fun for the goats but also serves practical purposes. For instance, it helps the goats become more comfortable with veterinary checks, making them easier to handle and less stressed during medical procedures.

Participants have found the goat training sessions highly engaging as it’s not an animal they usually get to interact with up close and personal. The sessions incorporate the T-touch method, a calming technique involving long, soothing strokes that are also used on dogs.

A Lasting Impact

The impact of these sessions extends beyond the immediate training. By helping goats develop positive behaviours, the program increases their chances of being adopted into loving homes. “The goats were initially scared at the sight of humans, but each week we’ve been able to incorporate more interaction, both physical and mental”, says Kiz. The progress has been remarkable, with even the shyest goats now confidently approaching participants for interaction.

Kiz sums up the benefits and outcomes for the participants who have had the chance to work with the goats, “It’s a unique experience for them to work with farm animals, not just domesticated ones. It’s a fabulous session for people to open themselves to new experiences and interactions with unfamiliar animals and develop newfound bonds and skills for animal training. The participants have responded really enthusiastically and are open to the experience, with some showing more emotion and engagement than usual.”