Painting with goats: How art and animals help people unwind

The most common way people see goats is behind a farm gate. The Clay Cafe Avalon takes a unique approach and provides a unique way of interacting with the animals.

Sanela Kukac
Kicker

Paintbrushes move across pottery as goats wander between tables at the Clay Cafe Avalon in Mount Pearl, occasionally nudging participants or jumping up for attention. Guests pause to feed the animals, laughing as the goats explore their stations.

While it may look like a playful activity, this art class is rooted in animal-assisted activities, designed to help participants relax and feel calmer.

Julie Hollett, an animal-assisted therapist and owner and operator of Black Label Farm, provides the goats for the painting classes and organizes animal-assisted activities for people looking to unwind and enjoy hands-on experiences.

Hollett said the idea began when the owner of the Clay Cafe Avalon, Jamie Lynne McCabe, approached her about trying an art class with the goats.

“We started with one class, and it was instantly a hit,” she said. “People enjoyed it so much, and it kind of went from there.”

Hollett didn’t realize at the time that there was a term for what they were doing: animal-assisted activity, which refers to casual interactions with animals that provide motivation, education or recreational benefits – all under the supervision of a trained handler such as Hollett. She said she has noticed a difference in people’s moods during and after the events.

“I’ve had people come and hug me and say they didn’t know how much they needed this,” Hollett said. “It’s really gratifying to see those types of reactions, and how people do benefit from it. They (the goats) just provide a non-judgmental comfort.”

The event is just as beneficial to the goats. The goats that get into this program are usually bottle-fed because they were rejected by their mothers. Hollett said they have a stronger human connection and are extremely comfortable around people.

“Goats are an extremely social animal; they’re herd animals by nature, so they really like to be in groups,” she said

The owner of the Clay Cafe Avalon, Jamie McCabe, describes the event as “goat therapy”.

“A little snuggle with the goats at the end of the day is just what we need,” McCabe said. “People really light up when you bring a little baby goat over to them. They get so excited, just like a kid at Christmas.”

McCabe said regulars attend almost every goat night, and a few of the baby goats were named after them – highlighting the close bond that people form with the animals.

According to UCLA Health, interacting with animals can trigger a relaxation response, boost mood by releasing hormones like serotonin and oxytocin, lower anxiety, provide comfort, reduce loneliness, and even help people focus and feel more mentally engaged. It can also benefit physical health by lowering blood pressure, slowing breathing in anxious participants, and helping people feel more relaxed overall.