On Monday, Oct. 1, a herd of goats arrived in the Owen courtyard, just in time for finals. Walker Management Library invited local goat service Shenanigoats to bring in baby and full-grown goats, setting them loose in the courtyard for students to play with and pet.
They were a perfect distraction for students in the middle of finals, as, according to Shenanigoat’s website, interacting with animals decreases cortisol, the stress hormone, while releasing hormones like dopamine and oxytocin.
Owen students definitely felt the benefits. “This is better than financial accounting!” One student exclaimed as Nugget the goat nibbled on her homework.
Students seemed to enjoy petting the baby goats and reveling in their cuteness. “The goats were clean, polite, and nice,” librarian Meredith Broadway, who organized the event, said.
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