Residents at Maplewood at Newtown, staff, and visitors were treated to special Valentine’s Day guests on February 14 — a friendly gaggle of goats!

Seated in the half moon in the lobby, the room and residents were prepared for the unusual guests to arrive, provided by the Washington business Got Your Goat.

“They’re supposed to make wonderful pets,” said resident Dot Watson, anticipating the experience. “I want pictures of them climbing all over me.”

Another resident, Bernice Jones, was surprised at the turnout.

“The crowd here is the most I’ve seen,” she said.

Ruby Highland, accompanied by her visiting daughter Kathleen, recalled an experience she shared with her husband seeing goats in New York.

“It was so funny,” Highland said. “I’m really here to relive that moment.”

Soon, goats began to make their entrance into the building — some on leashes, and some, to what seemed to be the delight of everyone, by themselves. A few goats were small enough to be carried in, snuggled in the arms of Maplewood staff members with grins on their faces.

The older goats who had strolled in alone also took it upon themselves to introduce themselves to participants, who were able to feed them crackers.

The littlest goats seemed content to curl up in the arms of residents who happily took them in. Those who chose not to interact with the goats were able to sit back and watch the event unfold. Sounds of laughter and excitement filled the Maplewood lobby from residents and visitors, and from staff who became goat herders for the hour.

Business owner Kristin Gill of Got Your Goat affirmed that this type of event was usual for her. The business also offers goat hikes and petting sessions with the babies, both popular.

“We have some due this week and we livestream the births,” Gill said.

The Newtown Bee asked Lifestyle Director Fran O’Neill if Maplewood would be doing this event again sometime soon.

“Oh yeah, next time we’ll do it outside,” she said.

Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at mailto://noelle@thebee.com.