Individual variation in responses to tactile stimulation in goats used in animal-assisted therapy

Animals have individual personality traits, which are key factors in their selection for animal-assisted therapy. A goat participating in animal-assisted therapy should be bold and eager to interact with people. The aim of this study was to assess the individual predispositions of goats used in animal-assisted therapy. The study was conducted on ten individuals who received tactile stimulation lasting up to 270 seconds per session. The experiment was carried out every other day for 38 days. Marked differences were observed among the individuals under study in the duration of their interactions with humans. It was found that the animals’ responses were relatively stable and related to individual personality traits and temperament. The results point to the importance of selecting appropriate animals for animal-assisted therapy, as observed individual predispositions influence willingness to interact with humans, which may translate into improved well-being.