Goat therapy is a thing
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Family fun time for Jason and Katheryn Gray may seem a bit unconventional. With their two sons grown and out of the house, the Grays spend their time with a host of farm animals––two goats specifically––as pets. Roughhousing in the yard and taking walks on-leash, the goats behave more like dogs than goats and are great family companions.
Jason Gray and his wife Kathryn have two pet goats, along with four chickens and two barn cats, on just shy of one acre of land in downtown Castle Rock, a non-HOA community. Every day the couple spends an hour or so outside with goats Molly and Joe Williams (Joe).
“We never saw ourselves as goat people, but never say never,” said Jason who is the mayor of Castle Rock and owner of Crowfoot Valley Coffee and Crowbar. Jason was first introduced to goats by customers who happened to have their baby goat with them and invited Jason to help feed it behind the coffee shop. A photo was snapped and sent to Kathryn, who works as a elementary school behavioral health teacher, and that is how the Grays became proud goat owners.
Molly is a 50-pound Nigerian dwarf goat and, while Joe is also supposed to be the same breed, he looks like more of a mixed breed, weighing in at 140 pounds.
“He is a lovable giant,” added Jason.
The Grays consider the two like average dogs but amazing goats. Named after Jason’s favorite jazz singer, Joe likes to stay close to the couple in the yard, while Molly is a bit more aloof. The two play fight with one another as kids do. For her small size, Molly can become very assertive and dominant when other pets and dogs walk by. Joe steps in with a subtle headbutt to calm her down.
Goats are social, affectionate and intelligent animals. They can be interactive with their owners and are fun and educational for children, which make them great pets. They can also form strong bonds with their owners and can be trained to respond to their names and perform tricks.
Although Molly and Joe do not know specific tricks, Joe still enjoys being fed from a milk jug from time to time. And both are natural lawn mowers, eating all yard shrubs, weeds and grasses in addition to supplemental goat feed.
Goats are herd animals; they do better together.
Joe came from a working farm and was not used to socializing with people but he and Molly have bonded well with their owners.
“Goat therapy is a thing,” said Jason.
“Goats are calm, loving and playful. They can help people feel more connected to nature, while providing unconditional love and companionship.”
If owning a goat is of interest, there are things to consider. Because goats are herd animals, they are happiest with another goat. They require a suitable environment, and caution should be taken when it comes to predators. With the help of music by the Beastie Boys and Run DMC playing in the Gray’s backyard, predators seem to keep their distance.
As Molly and Joe have grown, they do not enjoy cuddling as much as the daily hangouts, scratches and lots of petting.
When Jason and Kathryn are not spending time with their beloved animals, they are spending time with their two grown boys Aiden (22), manager and head roaster of Crowfoot Valley Coffee and Crowbar, and Keagan (23) this month, who works part time alongside Jason and for Discount Flies Discount Online Fly Shop a Castle Pines wholesaler. Beginning in May, Keagan will serve as a fishing guide in Alaska through the end of September.
“We did not really expect to enjoy the goats as much as we do,” said Jason.
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The Grays’ son, Aiden, enjoying the views while goats Joe Williams and Molly enjoy some leash time on the walking trails outside the Miller Activity Complex.
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Pet goat Molly with her chicken friends, Michael and Jermaine Jackson and Steve(s). “They both looked so much alike that we decided to name them both Steve,” joked owner Jason Gray.
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Joe Williams (left) and Molly (right) enjoying time together out of their pen.
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Jason Gray