During these stressful times people have found comfort by adopting dogs for their companionship and calming influence... therapy dogs have become all the rage. Well, roll over Rover because there’s a new “kid” on the block — literally! Goats (aka kids) have joined the ranks of therapy animals and can be found frolicking at Frederick Farm Goat Rescue and Sanctuary in Napanoch.

Frederick Farm was started by Meagan Frederick, who became the rescuer of all living creatures that somehow found their way to her. This menagerie has included everything from fish, mice, birds, stray dogs, cats, and chickens to the now infamous goats! In 2013 some goats wandered up Meagan’s driveway and Frederick Farm has been the sanctuary for rescue goats ever since. The farm welcomes visitors and as stated on their site is “committed to providing a loving home and sanctuary to as many goats in need of rescue as we can and sharing these unique creatures with the public to promote empathy, understanding of the species, and to encourage the happiness and well-being of both goats and the humans that meet them through the principles of animal-assisted therapy.” These goats, just like numerous other farm animals, have been victims of the horrors of animal agriculture. Meagan Frederick, lovingly known as the “Crazy Goat Lady,” has given refuge to these special creatures, and insures that on her farm they’re treated with great care and respect.

I was interested to learn more about Frederick farm Goat Rescue and Sanctuary, so I went online and took a virtual tour. The GMA Fur Babies video opens with Meagan Frederick being affectionately nuzzled by a white goat named Marvin. She talks about how one day Marvin wandered onto her driveway after (she suspects) he was abandoned by a local summer camp and left in the woods near her home. She took him in and built an animal sanctuary that today is home to a variety of goats. We are treated to photos of goats playing in the snow and enjoying a playground made of tires and wood structures, as well as photos of visitors happily feeding and interacting with them. There are smiles on everyone’s faces… even the goats! Meagan talks about how she wants guests to leave the sanctuary having learned more about goats and how lovely these animals are. After interacting with them it becomes obvious to visitors how inquisitive goats are, and how each has its own unique personality. I learned from experience years ago that mischief is definitely one personality trait! While visiting a local zoo with my infant son I actually got into a tug-of-war with a rambunctious goat when he started pulling my son’s blanket out of his stroller. After a tumultuous back and forth, I was finally victorious. But that tenacious little goat put up a good fight!

Meagan Frederick learned that goats’ personalities can make them assets in animal therapy. Meagan, who has a background as an art therapist, child life specialist and horticultural therapist, has worked with chronically and terminally ill children and adolescents, and noticed the healing power of animals while involved in various phases of animal therapy. Even though the goats on her farm are not the most commonly used animals in therapy, there is definitely a healing quality when interacting with them, and goats are gaining popularity in animal-assisted therapy programs. To learn more about goat therapy you can visit the farm’s website at frederickfarmgoats.com. While on the site you can also schedule a hands-on goat therapy session, virtual online visit with goats and read about volunteer opportunities and other ways to help Frederick Farm Goat Rescue and Sanctuary.

After viewing the Frederick Farm video, it’s a definite must-see visit for me! Interacting with these affectionate, intelligent fun-loving creatures looks like an enjoyable, cathartic experience… a welcome escape from the stress of hectic everyday life. It’s not just a sanctuary for rescued goats, but for human visitors as well. Frederick Farm Goat Rescue and Sanctuary is yet another example of nature at its best in the beautiful, serene Catskill region.