Miramichi psychotherapist offers goat-assisted counselling in move to family farm

For John Fletcher of Miramichi, combining his love for counselling and farming has given him his dream job.

After nearly a decade of office-bound therapy, he expandedhis fourth-generation family farmto offer animal therapy, as well.

To do so, he enlisted the help of man's best friend. No, not that one.

"Come on goats, come on boys.Single file here."

As Fletcher walkedinto a narrow wooded path on the back edge of Fletcher's Farm, three purebred alpine goats came running. They followed him happily, never straying too far from his hip.

Beau, Apollo and Frank the Tank are in training to become certified pack goats. Once they are fully grown, Fletcher said, they willcarry hiking gear on walks all over the province.

WATCH | 'They want to be your best friend':

Need some therapy? Take a hike with goats

2 months ago

Duration 2:30

Miramichis John Fletcher combines his love of therapy and farming by offering counselling sessions with goats.

They have a uniquetemperament that Fletcher said helpshis clients viaanimal-assisted psychotherapy.

"They're big and they can be intimidating but they're like big puppies," he says. "So that can be very powerful in a therapeutic context."

The way the goats are used in counselling sessions is alsounconventional. If they're up for it, Fletcher tells some of his clients to take a hike literally.

"We offer mindful goat walks here," he says. "We have a nice little walking path here that we can take people on and really try to learn about mindfulness and being grounded through the animals and nature."

One behind the other, the trainees followed Fletcher further into the woods, occasionally pausingto enjoya bite ofa leaf or two. There is no mistaking it, they are tuned into Fletcher and always on the lookout for his next move.

Fletcher bottle-fed the trio beginning atsix weeks, a big part of what has taught them to connect with humans, he said.

"I think, in their goat brains, they think I'm a goat or they think they're human," he said. "So when I have people here for therapy and a lot of times attachment is a theme that needs to be worked on these guys want to jump in your pocket."

Gateway to tough conversations

Working with animals can help some clients approach difficult topics in a more indirectway, which can be beneficial.

And Fletcheris not alone in believing that whileclinical therapy is effective for many, each personneeds a tailored approach.

Christa Baldwin, CEO of the Mental Health Association of New Brunswick, said having qualified people who offeralternatives is essential to addressing mental health demands.

"I think we're neglectful if we just think the only option is to sit in an office across from someone," she said.

Baldwin said there is a shortage of certified counsellors and therapists in the province and that it can always use more.

"Given the demand for service around mental health in the world right now but specifically in New Brunswick, we have these beautiful options that are available and we want to be able to support that."

Fletcher said he is especially movedwhen his workleads to breakthroughs with children.

"Seeing kidswho may have not been around farm animals and may not have spenta lot of time out in nature, seeing them get that spark and seeing kind of that magic between them and the animals, it fills me up."

Fletcher said thatBeau, the smallest ofthe three alpine goats he is training, was bullied by other goats when he was younger. This natural experience is something Fletcher uses to help kids who are being bullied.

"I've got a soft spot for him because he never backed down," he said. "And I'll talk to kids sometimes about bullying and I'm like, 'This guy, he stood his ground and I think he eventually earned the bigger guy's respect.'"

He said childrenare often capable of making their own connections and reflectionsfrom these examples.

"I get goosebumps just thinking about it," he says. "I think any helper, when we can help someone I always say that's our emotional paycheck.

"Some days I kind of go, 'I get paid to do this?'It really is a dream come true."