Goats are another reason to attend Ranch Nite Wednesdays in Lakewood Ranch

There’s a new attraction at the first Ranch Nite Wednesday of each month — goats. 

The goat yoga class is so popular that Waterside Place residents Trista Kohne and Hannah Jaworski couldn’t get into the class last month. 

Nicole Hackel, events and resident experience manager for Lakewood Ranch, said she’s going to bump the registrations up from 50 to 70 people moving forward. She also offered a piece of advice if the registration is full online: Show up in person in case someone doesn’t show up.

On Dec. 3, the goats were dressed for Christmas. The larger goats fit into dog outfits, but kid goats, like 4-week-old Winnie and Penny, need outfits made for cats.

Myakka City’s Blissful Goat Yoga provides the classes. 

Aliyah Burnett, 12, lives next door to the farm. She gladly helps owner Corinn Smith herd and dress the goats. Burnett accepts her pay in the form of goat cuddles and ice cream. 

“People need to come out and just sit with the goats,” Smith said. “You can’t think about your problems when you’re holding them. They just won’t allow it.”