Meet Maddy Yangnouvong

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maddy Yangnouvong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maddy, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that farm animals are dirty or stinky and that if you come to a goat yoga class, you’re guaranteed to get pooped or peed on. But the truth is, we take incredible care of our animals and our space. When it comes to cleanliness during class, we’ve got that covered too! Our amazing “goat whisperers” help guide the experience, keep guests engaged and safe, and are always nearby to clean up any accidents that might happen.

That said, our goats are small, so when nature does call, it’s very minimal and it doesn’t happen as often as people think. But at the end of the day, they’re live animals. It’s not a petting zoo or a performance. It’s an animal-assisted wellness class, and that comes with a bit of unpredictability. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t. What can you do?

All of our goats (and yes, even our cows!) are bathed weekly, sometimes more often, and are regularly groomed, loved on, and totally spoiled. They’re truly part of the family. What many people don’t realize is that our animals are trained therapy animals, so they’re used to being around humans all the time. That comfort and familiarity makes the experience much calmer, more connected, and truly healing. Even our cow cuddling sessions are rooted in animal-assisted wellness. Most people don’t realize that cows can be therapy animals too, but the emotional support they offer is just as real. People leave feeling lighter, more present, and deeply grounded.

We know people sometimes compare us to other farms, but we’re simply not the same. From how we care for our animals to the attention we give every guest, we’re proud to offer a one-of-a-kind, therapeutic farm experience—all just minutes from Atlanta, in Tucker, GA.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m the Outreach Coordinator and Administrative Assistant at GGA Dwarf Goat Yoga, where I wear many hats behind the scenes. Working for a small but growing wellness business has been so rewarding. I’ve learned so much and grown with it.

What sets me apart is my passion and belief in what we do. I love introducing people to new experiences and seeing their faces light up, especially those who were unsure at first. Building partnerships and community connections has been one of the most exciting parts of my role. Cold outreach was a challenge at first, but I learned that when you research and find the right fit, it becomes easier. I’ve figured out how to present GGA in a way that gets people genuinely curious.

I stand fully behind our mission: bringing awareness to mental health through animal-assisted therapy. Mental health and animals are two things I care deeply about, so getting to share the joy of GGA is truly a dream.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m definitely taking them to GGA Dwarf Goat Yoga to start the day! We’ll kick things off with a fun goat yoga session, or maybe even a relaxing hike with the goats.

After that, we’ll definitely be hungry, so I’d take them to KPOT, a Korean BBQ and hot pot spot. It’s all-you-can-eat and always a hit. People love cooking their own food at the table—grilling meats, boiling noodles and veggies in the soup base of their choice. It’s interactive, delicious, and super satisfying.

To walk off the food coma, we’d either head to Piedmont Park—especially if there’s a festival or event going on—or to Ponce City Market. We could browse the shops, hang out on the rooftop, or even take a nice walk along the BeltLine right outside. It’s always a great spot to people-watch, explore, and enjoy the city.

We’d probably wrap up the night at Block & Drum—one of my favorite places. It’s such a cute hangout with an awesome outdoor area, great cocktails and coffee, and live music from local artists and DJs. The vibes are always immaculate.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to shout out Sabrina Matthews, our CMO. She’s been an incredible mentor—supportive, uplifting, and always pushing me to grow with confidence in this role. She’s been there for me not just at work, but in life, and I’m so grateful for her guidance.

I also want to give a huge thank you to our CEO, GG Matthews, for giving me the opportunity to join the GGA team. After hearing me out, he believed in me and felt I’d be a great fit, and that belief meant everything!!!

Website: https://ggadwarfgoatyoga.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gga_dwarfgoats/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gga-dwarf-goat-yoga

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggadwarfgoatyoga/

Yelp: https://www.facebook.com/ggadwarfgoatyoga/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GGA-dwarf-goat-yoga?reload=9

Other: https://nextdoor.com/pages/gga-dwarf-goat-yoga-tucker-ga/