Baby Goat Therapy Brings Smiles to Batavia

_{April 30, 2025}
At Batavia Nursing Care Center, we believe the little moments often bring the biggest joy—and sometimes, those little moments come with tiny hooves and furry faces. We recently had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Dream to Reality, a nonprofit Livestock Rehab and Animal Therapy Farm, for an unforgettable visit with two of their adorable baby goats, Gloria and Pepa.

Dream to Reality has been spreading joy since 2018, traveling to senior living communities, special needs centers, inner-city schools, and more with their therapy animals—including lambs, pigs, rabbits, roosters, guinea fowl, and even an emu. This visit marked their first time at Batavia, and we feel so lucky they chose to share their mission with us.



The moment Lorie and Kayla entered with Gloria and Pepa, our residents lit up. Everyone had the chance to hold and cuddle the baby goats, who quickly stole hearts—and even fell asleep in laps. No one wanted to move them once they got cozy! For some residents, the goats made special room visits, bringing the same peaceful joy right to their bedside.

While we laughed, played, and learned all about Nigerian Dwarf goats—what they eat, how big they get, and their gentle nature—we felt something even deeper: connection. For many of our residents, it wasn’t just a visit; it was a memory made, a moment of comfort, and a reminder of the beauty of simple things.



And the love was mutual. After the visit, Lorie from Dream to Reality shared this kind message: “I wanted to compliment you on what a nice community you have! I’ve been to many communities in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area, and yours is by far the BEST Medicaid waiver community. Your building is older, but it is clean! Every room we entered was clean. There was a pleasant smell—not one of bleach or Lysol. You should be proud. You have amazing staff on board! I can’t wait to return with more baby goats!”

Moments like these remind us how meaningful activities are for our residents—not just for fun, but for connection, comfort, and lasting joy. We’re grateful to Dream to Reality and already looking forward to their next visit.

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