Behind every great herd is a great shepherd. At Goats at Work, that's Dan — a former professional hockey player turned passionate animal steward, bringing targeted goat grazing to Barrie, Orillia, and communities across Simcoe County.

From the Ice to the Pasture

Dan's path to shepherding wasn't exactly a straight line. When he was forced into early retirement from professional hockey, the future was anything but clear. He had zero farming experience, zero livestock knowledge, and no obvious next chapter waiting for him.

What he did have was faith, a relentless work ethic, and a willingness to start from scratch. Through what Dan describes simply as God's grace, a path toward animal husbandry and pastoralism began to take shape — one that would lead him to Coldwater, Ontario, a forgotten 48-acre riverside farm, and eventually, to over 100 goats working properties across the region.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Psalm 23:1

It's a verse Dan returns to often — a reminder that the work of a shepherd, whether over a flock of goats on a Barrie property or in any walk of life, is ultimately one of service, care, and trust.

Dan's Philosophy of Shepherding

Dan believes the relationship between a shepherd and his animals is everything. It doesn't exist automatically — it has to be built, and it has to be continuously maintained. That means consistent behaviour, positive reinforcement, and the kind of patient, steady presence that earns an animal's trust over time.

It's not all that different from professional hockey, really. Chemistry between teammates doesn't happen by accident. You build it through showing up, doing the work, and proving you can be counted on — every single day.

What It Takes to Work with Goats

Consistency

Animals respond to routine and reliable behaviour. Dan approaches every day on the farm and every job in the field with the same steady, trustworthy presence.

Patience

Goats are smart, curious, and sometimes stubborn. Working with them — especially on new properties across Orillia, Barrie, or beyond — requires patience above all else.

Never Quit

As Dan puts it, a strong work ethic and a never-quit attitude are non-negotiable when it comes to livestock. Especially goats.

There's an old saying passed down among shepherds and pastoralists for thousands of years: "When the animal eats, so does the shepherd." Dan lives by it. When the herd is healthy, well-fed, and thriving — everything else falls into place.

Building Something That Lasts

In just a few short years, Dan has gone from buying two goats off Kijiji to managing a herd of over 100 purebred Kiko goats, six Maremma livestock guardian dogs, and a border collie herding dog — all based out of Riverside Ranch, a regenerative 48-acre farm in Coldwater, Ontario.

Goats at Work is still a young and growing company, but the foundation it's built on — responsible animal care, genuine environmental stewardship, and authentic relationships with every client — is anything but new. It's a tradition of pastoralism that stretches back thousands of years, now being carried forward right here in Simcoe County.

Dan's Commitment to Every Client

  • ✔  Professional, on-site supervision of every job
  • ✔  Responsible animal care and herd health standards
  • ✔  Chemical-free, eco-friendly results every time
  • ✔  Serving Barrie, Orillia, Coldwater, and all of Simcoe County
  • ✔  Willing to travel across Ontario for the right project