Goats and Stress
A lot of people would tell you that goats themselves are stressful. Sometimes I agree, but most of the time they take the stress away. When I walk into my barn they reach up over the stall wall, reach out for a head rub, and just make me smile. I have yet to see anyone who pets a goat, and doesn’t smile.
When Covid was ravaging the world I saw images of medical professionals who were beyond exhausted. My husband agreed that we wished they could spend some time with our goats, they’d feel revived. We really wanted to make a respite for those who are feeling overwhelmed. It took us two years, but we finally did it.
Why goats? I have long been fascinated by the effect that animals have on troubled children. I’ve seen autistic children come out of their shells, just by being around my silly goats and my sweet horse. No one rides them. No one milks them. They just take away the troubles, for a short time. I’ve seen long term results, but every child and every animal is different.
The world is so tense right now. Our government, our wallets, our environment, all take tolls on our mental health. As someone who deals with depression and chronic pain, I know how important it is to be strong in dealing with our challenges. The name of this blog, Caprenity, is a nod to combination of goats, serenity and fun. For me, I need all those things in my life, or I become overwhelmed. My approach has always been “find a different way,” “Find a solution.” I feel that more people need to have that attitude.
For me, knowing how to judge choices, pro or con, gives me a sense of power that I need. Personally I think Americans have gotten too used to “Short cuts,” and instantaneous satisfaction. Computers have made that worse. I know whenever I see someone’s new computer I always feel that my system at home is so slow… It’s not. It’s just that the grass is always greener, or in this case, the system is going to be so much faster, if I get something other than my old item. I am writing a series of books and activities to help people feel more empowered in making their grocery choices. I’m also going back to teaching classes for those who think they want goats of their own.
After two years, we finally have our respite, the Haven. For us it’s a store for people to get our products without going to a market. But it’s also a way that people can use our farm, the woods we love, and the goats, to give themselves a breather from the stress in their lives.
I made a promise to my animals when I first started farming - my animals will not have to wear clothes. And, the farm is their safe place, and they will always take precedence over visitors or the budget. I have witnessed too many people, of all ages, who “overlove,” an animal and then get upset when it reacts “improperly.” Animals can’t tell you “That’s enough,” in your language. They do say that, if you take the time to learn their language. It requires stepping out of yourself and looking at things from the goat’s, or dog’s, or horse’s perspective. As a result, we do not allow free roam of the farm for humans (or livestock,) and we no longer focus on education for children, but more for “opening eyes,” for all ages.
There’s so much to worry about these days, I think the more knowledge we have, the better our choices. So, Caprenity will continue to be a source of knowledge, insight and a celebration of that fun that is our farm. To show you what I mean, meet the kids that were born this morning - Mica and SlipStream.