Jeanette Norris loves kids, whether they have two legs or four.
Norris, a pediatrician and owner of a 10-acre farm off Columbia Road in Grovetown, will offer her first goat yoga class on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Peaceful Warrior Apothecary, 324 South Belair Road, Martinez. The one-hour outdoor class, which will include six to eight of her friendliest goats, is called Pet-A-Goat Yoga.
“It’s a regular yoga class with goats jumping around,” she said. “Our goats are very friendly, and people love to pet them.”
Norris bought the farm that’s now home to a variety of animals, including not only goats but also pigs, rabbits, alpacas, and emus, about five years ago. Being a doctor has helped tremendously with caring for various types of animals, but she still had to do her research.
She wanted to offer the yoga class at the farm, but Columbia County wouldn’t allow it. The county allows Norris to take her animals to other locations, such as festivals and birthday parties.
“I enjoy being able to share my animals with the public,” she said.
Norris said the class is “yoga optional,” meaning some people will come for the yoga, while others will be there to play with the goats. Brandi Brace, who helps on the farm, said some will do both.
“We try to be open to anybody who wants to interact with the animals and take a yoga class,” Brace said. “Some people just need contact with the animals.”
She said the class offers participants the opportunity to exercise and get a mental health boost by interacting with goats. Norris said in the spring, she hopes to offer yoga classes on a regular basis. Besides Peaceful Warrior Apothecary, other venues, such as Back to Nature Garden Center in Augusta and Hope to Hooves Rescue in North Augusta, have contacted her. Norris said there are many details involved in setting up a class, including visiting a venue and putting up temporary fencing.
A pediatrician offering goat yoga classes may sound unusual, but for her, it makes perfect sense.
“I love children, and I love animals,” she said. “It (interacting with animals) helps with their emotional development.”
Brace said a week ago, 15 people had already signed up for the class, which costs $25 per person. She said in the spring, people will be able to book classes at barnyardbuddies.net, but to sign up for this class, contact Kelly at 706-305-9098.
