Local farm hosts annual goat snuggling event

(ABC 6 News) – There is just something special about cuddling a baby animal and one local farm is opening its doors to share the love.

Every year, the Simple Soaps for Simple Folks Farm has a meet and greet for the newest members of the family.

Shanna McCann has 11 grown goats and 16 babies with more on the way. She moved from Wisconsin to Minnesota and was gifted two goats. With those goats, she began making different food products and handmade goat milk soaps. Eventually, she started to let people meet the animals behind her popular soap.

"Goats only have their babies once a year," said McCann. "So this is a great spring activity. People are eager to get out of the house, come and hang out, and who doesn’t love a fun, little, baby goat?"

Studies have shown interacting with animals can help decrease stress levels and lower blood pressure. They can also reduce loneliness and help boost your mood.

On top of the cuddling event, McCann also hosts a yoga with goats session once a year.

The goats are named based on their personalities or physical attributes. One goat was named "Elsa" because its ear froze during a polar vortex.