Therapy goats in Devon “bring a bit of something different”

Pygmy goats are among the therapy animals being taken to care homes, schools and youth clubs in Devon, to foster well-being and combat isolation.

Tim Sheppard set up the not-for-profit business Tavistock Therapy Goats in 2024, to bring a sense of the outdoors to people who can struggle to access to the countryside.

Mr Sheppard has other animals at his smallholding, and sometimes brings an Asian brown wood owl and a peregrine falcon on the visits too.

“These little critters make such a difference to people’s lives,” he said.