Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Champagne.
Hi Lindsey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My husband, Collin, and I are first generation goat ranchers who started Walkapony Goat Ranch in 2017. It was supposed to just be a family ranch, living out our dreams to be a self sufficient homestead and breed goats as a hobby. Over a few years of breeding goats and keeping our favorite babies- our herd grew from 3 goats to over 20 goats.
In winter of 2020/2021 our herd had a baby boom- we had 28 babies born within a 10 day timeframe, going from a small herd of 20 goats to 48 goats! We wanted to make sure each baby goat was introduced to human touch and learn to trust people- so we invited neighbors to come snuggle the newborn goats and help us socialize them, not knowing that our neighbors would spread the word about our goat cuddle therapy! By spring 2021, I decided to start a woman owned business, 901goats, offering baby goat cuddle therapy and goat yoga to the Memphis area. As Covid restrictions subsided, my business continued to grow. I started to offer barn parties, private & public goat yoga sessions, and farm tours. As the business grew I also decided to offer traveling services for local businesses, schools and families- including cuddle therapy parties, & traveling goat yoga sessions.
Today 901goats is widely know around the Memphis area, and we currently have over 200 goats in our herd, and a 2 year waitlist to purchase our socialized goats!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning goats is always challenging, there’s a reason not many people are goat ranchers.
Owning 3 goats is different from owing 8 goats- owning 12 goats is different from owning 25 goats… each time a herd grows new challenges present themselves. From adding new grazing areas and more shelters, to leaning herd hierarchy and pecking orders, how to offer rotational grazing and learning what medications will work for certain illnesses.
Not only are goats extremely challenging to keep fenced in, like many other livestock animals- goats are always looking for a new way to commit suicide. And when they get sick- not all vets are willing or know how to treat goats. So we’ve had to learn how to only take care of their feeding/housing needs but also how to treat all possible goat illnesses. Thankfully having a background in veterinary care, I was able to rise to the challenges that presented- and learn from what worked or didn’t work.
We’ve had our ups and downs with learning goats, how to keep them fenced and how to keep them healthy were by far our biggest challenges.
Inviting people to cuddle goats and start a business was the easy part- but learning how to raise goats was (and still is) one of the most challenging things we have done on our ranch.
It’s an emotional rollercoster with goats- they will test your patience, your sanity, your fences… but they always seem to find a spot in your heart to be loved.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have found a way to be creative with the way people think about goats and interact with goats. Offing an opportunity for people to find peace in a busy chaotic lifestyle- taking time to sit still and cuddle a baby goat. Or maybe unwind and stretch in a goat yoga session, allowing all anxiety and uncertainties to disappear for a moment while they enjoy a friendly goat while in downward dog.
I’ve also been able to express my creativity with they way we offer cuddle therapy- eclectic and vintage sofas for a cuddle therapy event- or maybe some unique hats and bows for a goat to wear- adding an extra element of cuteness for all ages of people to smile at and enjoy.
I’ve also had an opportunity to start making handmade artisan style goat milk soaps- expressing my creativity in soothing scents and colors.
No one else in our area raises goats the way we do, or has an artistic eye like I do- making each ranch visit and traveling event unique and personalized.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
As a child I had many opportunities to interact with animals, and had a large heart to want to care for animals.
My family moved frequently, so I had few opportunities to own all the animals I wanted. My parents always told me that when I grew up and had my own place- I could have any animal I wanted. I took that very seriously and have had the pleasure of caring for many types of demonstrated and wild animals.
I also had a passion to learn more about animals, loved science and biology, so naturally I wanted a career in animal care/sciences. Took every opportunity to grow and learn.
After high school I pursued a degree in veterinary sciences and a business degree. Worked for a local veterinarian for 20 years and became a certified veterinary technician – all which helps me to properly care for our goat herd now.
Pricing:
- Open Barn Hours/Cuddle Therapy -$10 person
- Goat Yoga- typically $25 person
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.901goats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/901goats?cplk=cGZnMGc0YWxheGI0&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19u5xsgjpa/?mibextid=wwXIfr
