An open house fundraiser was held Saturday for Lil' Steps Miniatures and Wellness Farm in St. Malo.

Director Lucy Fouasse and her silky miniature fainting goat KristaDirector Lucy Fouasse says she decided to start this program after suffering a head injury a couple years ago and experiencing for herself how animals were a huge part of her recovery. Fouasse explains her program opened August 1 and she provides services for children ages six to twelve as well as adults with special needs.

Fouasse adds the different programs help children who struggle in areas such as anxiety.

"The purpose of getting my miniature fainting goats is that they actually go through the same kind of experience a person does when we experience anxiety. So they faint when they get excited or startled. That's a way we can explain to children how anxiety works. So when I'm working with a child with anxiety they can see and understand what the goat goes through and we can discuss what it's like for the goat which is actually working to talk about how it's affecting themselves."

Muscovy ducks Sunshine, Bunny and HopeAlong with silky miniature fainting goats, Fouasse says she also has miniature baby doll sheep, micro miniature pigs, mini lop bunnies, silky chickens, Muscovy ducks and miniature horses.

"I've kind of selected different personalities because the different personalities actually connect with the different children," explains Fouasse. "Just naturally animals have that ability to [connect with people]. With the horses especially though because horses are so intuitive they're actually able to connect with children on an emotional level."