Mini goats big on calming

ONE of the country’s leading Australian miniature goat breeders is delighted its little animals can help people with disabilities.

Carl and Jan Roberts, who run farm tours at Willow Creek Farm at Ellendale in the Central Highlands, said their goats’ nature is naturally docile and the calming effect rubs off within minutes.

“Giving children with disabilities the chance to get up close and smile with a mini goat is what the world should really be all about,” Mr Roberts said.

“We have welcomed a number of families with children with autism on our tours and find it fascinating the reaction when interacting with our goats.”

Melanie Flack took her nine-year-old son, who has autism, to the farm.

“He developed a fascination for miniature goats and we had an amazing visit. Afterwards the calming effect was profound, we could even go for lunch and we never could do that on other outings. We really loved it,” Mrs Flack said.

Jessica Norton, program officer for not-for-profit Parkside Foundation, a disability and aged-care service provider, said at the end of January they will be taking a group of up to 10 clients aged between 12 and 20 years old to Willow Creek Farm to connect with the miniature goats.

“The visit to the miniature goats was recommended to us, the farm tour will be a new and helpful experience for our clients,” Miss Norton said.

Australian miniature goats will be one of the four major goat breeds at GoatFest Tasmania on February 25 at the Launceston Showgrounds in Invermay.