Goat yoga is a hit at OU

There are many methods to make new buddies on school campuses as of late, and greater than 100 Oakland College college students, employees and professors had the chance to fulfill new buddies from an area farm final week.

OU introduced 15 goats from Chamberlin Pony Rides and Cell Petting Zoo in Ann Arbor and hosted two “Goat Yoga” classes on campus.

Amy Thompson, govt vp for educational affairs and provost, got here up with the concept together with Glenn McIntosh, former senior vp of scholar affairs and chief variety officer. They contacted Becky Lewis, the college’s director of recreation and wellness, and created the primary occasion.

“That is one thing that Glenn McIntosh and I got here up with collectively and we requested Becky Lewis if she wished to do that and everybody bought actually enthusiastic about it,” Thompson mentioned. “It was an occasion that targeted on de-stressing, centering and simply having enjoyable.”

McIntosh died on September 17 and by no means bought an opportunity to see his thought change into a actuality.

“He promised me he was going to do goat yoga, however he would have been impressed with what occurred right now and the way joyful the scholars have been,” Thompson mentioned. “I believe the scholars had a good time right now. There was a number of laughter.”

It was the primary in a sequence of occasions that OU will host along side World Psychological Well being Month.

“This is essential on our campus as a result of psychological well being is the second main cause nationally that college students go away school,” Thompson mentioned. “We have to do extra to advertise wellness on our campus and speak about these issues brazenly and these are the issues that draw consideration to this crucial situation.”

“One thing like that is only one factor we are able to do to offer instruments and assets to handle their psychological well being and general well being and well-being,” Lewis mentioned. “We present them other ways to try this and goat yoga is simply one other means we determined to try this.”

Lewis mentioned the primary occasion was effectively obtained by those that took half and by those that got here to see it for themselves.

“When you had informed me final yr or six months in the past that I might be organizing goats, I might have informed you you have been loopy,” Lewis mentioned. “But it surely was one thing new and totally different and a first-time occasion. It went very well, each for the individuals who did it and for a few of the individuals who noticed what was taking place outdoors their window and got here down to look at it.”

Thompson mentioned goat yoga will return to campus sooner or later.

“I believe we’ll undoubtedly do it once more subsequent yr,” Thompson mentioned. “It labored on so many ranges and everybody who got here out had a good time.”