Alva Review-Courier -

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) — Nine kids ran around and jumped on visitors doing recent yoga sessions at Hunt's Green Space.

Each kid had four legs. Some had horns and a high-pitched "baa."

The Goat Yoga sessions, benefiting Fostering Hope, attracted about 50 participants earlier this month. Dozens of other people enjoyed a petting zoo, played carnival games and sampled snow cones, popcorn and candy.

Caroline Schuepbach said she came from Oklahoma City just for the Goat Yoga.

She said the kids are "personable little goats."

"They jump, they do tricks," Schuepbach told the Muskogee Phoenix . "They've been teaching them how to go across people, and then they jump across."

She said the hooves were not as hard as she had expected.

"They're a lot softer than I thought," she said. "They kind of got a little massage going, if you got a little knot in there "

It was less of a massage for Meghan Bliss of Tahlequah. She said having a goat on her back "was different, for sure."

"Their hooves were kind of sharp," she said. Bliss said she had only one yoga session — without goats — before this.

Yoga instructor Tracy Fenton led people through 30-minute sessions. Fenton said this was the first time in 18 years goats joined her class.

"Fostering Hope contacted me. I was happy to do it," she said. "It would be a first. I knew it would be fun, a worthy cause."

Fenton had to deal with goats roaming around while she spoke her instructions. She said she was not at all bothered.

"You just have to have a sense of humor," she said. "It's about getting together, having a good time and laughter. Laughter is part of good therapy."

The kids were newcomers to Goat Yoga as well, said Jill Gates of Peek-A-Boo Petting Zoo, who brought them.

She said the goats were not trained for the yoga sessions, but they were tame.

"They're used to being around people," she said.

Gates said most of the goats were between 4 to 5 months old and weighed between 30 to 40 pounds, she said, adding that the little ones might weigh less.

The Gore petting zoo also brought animals for the petting zoo. Animals included a llama, sheep, ducks, chickens, bunnies and piglets.

Fostering Hope Director Annie Czaruk said she was happy with the turnout. She said about 50 people had pre-registered for the $30 sessions. People paid $5 to come to the event.

She said Fostering Hope will be able to help hundreds of foster children.

"If anything, Fostering Hope and our community have opened their arms to support foster children within our area," she said. "We raised awareness today of the needs that come with foster child."

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Information from: Muskogee Phoenix, http://www.muskogeephoenix.com