Student Rehabilitated Goat for Fresno Fair Competition

A Central High School student successfully nursed a goat with leg deformities for the Big Fresno Fair.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Large Animals

Student Rehabilitated Goat for Fresno Fair Competition

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Audrey Wehner, a Central High School sophomore, has prepared a goat named Lt. Dan for competition at the Big Fresno Fair after providing extensive rehabilitation. The goat was born with severe leg deformities that prevented him from nursing properly.

Why it matters

The intervention highlights the intensive care and commitment required for student livestock projects. This dedication ensures that animals with significant health challenges can survive and eventually participate in community agricultural events.

Wehner is currently exhibiting five animals, including three sheep and two goats. She balances this commitment with a daily schedule that requires spending 12 to 14 hours at the school farm.

The players

Audrey Wehner

She is a sophomore at Central High School who manages and rehabilitates livestock.

Big Fresno Fair

This is an annual agricultural and community event held in Fresno, California.

Central Unified School District

This is the local school system where students participate in agricultural programs and livestock competitions.

The details

Wehner utilized bottle-feeding to ensure the goat received necessary nutrition during his early development. The rehabilitation process further involved daily muscle massages, ligament stretching, and standing practice to address the animal's severe leg deformities.

October 2026: Students showcase their livestock at the Big Fresno Fair.

Culture Shift

The effort reflects a broader movement toward hands-on agricultural education and sustainable animal care practices among high school students. This shift emphasizes direct clinical involvement in animal husbandry rather than traditional commercial breeding methods.

Residents attending the fair can observe the results of this specialized rehabilitation work firsthand during the livestock competitions. The presence of students like Wehner demonstrates the practical application of veterinary care skills that local students gain through their school farm programs.

The takeaway

The success of this project demonstrates that dedicated intervention can overcome significant health obstacles in livestock. Implementing similar daily care routines like massage and physical therapy is essential for those raising animals with special needs.