Students, faculty and staff gathered on the lawn near Kresge Library and Elliott Tower on Monday, Oct. 6, for a one-of-a-kind experience: Goat Yoga. The event invited participants to relax, stretch and laugh alongside goats from Eden Acres Homestead, a petting zoo and animal rides organization, and Seeded Faith Farm Rescue, a non-profit animal welfare organization.

Two 30-minute sessions were offered – one from noon to 12:30 p.m. and another from 12:30 to 1 p.m. – to allow as many attendees as possible to take part. Mats were provided, and registration was not required. Participants could simply stop by between classes or jobs, join a session and connect with the goats.

The event aimed to provide a fun, therapeutic break for students and staff while also highlighting the importance of animal rescue. The goats featured at the event came from Eden Acres Homestead and Seeded Faith Farm Rescue, which partnered to raise awareness about animals in need of rehoming.

“We’re based out of Almont, Michigan,” Justin Velic, co-owner of Eden Acres Homestead, said. “We partner with Seeded Faith Rescue, and we do a whole lot of petting zoos and community events like this. Our goal is to rescue as many animals as we can.”

Velic explained that while Eden Acres focuses on both petting zoo events and rescue efforts, Seeded Faith is dedicated strictly to animal rescue.

“Seeded Faith takes in animals from bad situations or from people who just can’t take care of them anymore,” he said. “They make sure those animals get a second chance.”

The partnership between the two organizations allows them to reach more animals in need while also creating educational and joyful experiences for the public – like Goat Yoga. Events like these not only help fund their operations but also introduce people to the animals.

Participants described the event as both relaxing and entertaining. “It’s not every day you get to do yoga with goats climbing around you,” Justin Victor, co-owner of Eden Acres and fellow organizer of the event, said. “It’s a fun way for people to de-stress, and it helps spread awareness about animal rescue at the same time.”

Between yoga poses and laughter, the goats wandered through the crowd, occasionally stopping for pets or nibbling on the grass. For participants, the experience offered a much-needed moment of calm in the middle of a busy first semester.

Events like Goat Yoga are part of a growing trend that blends wellness, mindfulness and animal interaction. Spending time with animals can lower stress levels and increase feelings of happiness – something students say they can always use more of during the semester.

As the event came to a close, participants left with smiles, stories and – for some – a new appreciation for animal rescue efforts. For Eden Acres and Seeded Faith Rescue, that’s the best outcome of all.

“At the end of the day, we want people to have fun,” Velic said. “But we also want them to know these animals have stories. When you interact with them, you’re part of giving them a better one.”