THE GOAT PROJECT
GETTING OVER ANTI-THERAPY
Webster Dictionary presents... the Dictionary Definition of Therapy:
the medical treatment of impairment, injury, disease, or disorder​
How is therapy seen?
How is therapy unseen?
What's the problem?
So, then why goats?
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Therapy? Is it really that broad? There’s only physical therapy. Oh, and mental therapy. But who needs that?
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People who go to therapy are weak.
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Therapy is for the weak.
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Therapy is for the crazy.
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You’re wasting money if you seek a therapist.
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You’re rich if you seek a therapist.
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You lack a healthy network of loved ones if you seek a therapist.
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People should pity or feel sad for or feel any other emotion that we haven’t felt before prior to one admitting that he/she goes to therapy.
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People who go to therapy are on medication.
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Therapy only happens in a professional, medical setting, such as a doctor’s office.
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Therapy is a field. And within the field, there’s many different types that branch off. Different types of therapy exist, including Humanistic Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Marriage and Family Therapy, etc.
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Therapy isn’t always limited to consulting a medical therapist. It doesn’t have to happen in professional, medical, office setting.
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You don’t have to be weak, crazy, or rich to go to a therapist. People choose to receive therapy for a variety of different reasons.
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THE PROBLEM
Therapy being underappreciated, not enough people utilizing the benefits of therapy mainly due to the microaggressions and stereotypical concerns with those who do practice therapy or seek therapy/counseling. There’s a stigma related to therapy! The problem is that we are currently in a mental health and opioid crisis, and we can not destigmatize “getting help.”
WHAT I DID
I receive my social and mental therapy by interacting with arthritic goats. But that may not be the same for everyone else. So let goats be an inspiration. By showing everyone that these goats receive therapy and by having rather therapeutic relations/encounters with the goats at the LA Zoo Muriel’s Ranch, I want them to know that all forms of therapy are and should be appreciated.
THE OUTCOME
I brought a group of teenagers from all around Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, and Porter Ranch. Teenagers reported feeling less stressed, calmer, and overall happier. With the permission of the zookeepers, they were able to explore goats receive their daily medications and breakfast. Teenagers received their social and physical therapy by combing, petting, and interacting with the people-friendly animals.
MEET THE THERAPISTS.