Faeryland’s Farm Menagerie, a nonprofit animal sanctuary and National Wildlife Sanctuary, is proud to announce a milestone in animal-assisted therapy: Gingersnaps, a remarkably gentle Nubian goat, has become the first officially trained and certified therapy goat in the United States. The sanctuary thrives through the generosity of community donations, channeling every contribution into the rescue and care of over 50 animals—24 of whom are goats—while providing education and transformative therapy with a special emphasis on goat therapy.
Gingersnaps’ serene temperament and intuitive connection with people make her a shining ambassador for therapy animals. She participates in bustling public events, inviting both adults and children to interact with her, always remaining calm and steady—even when her handler is out of view. Her gentle nature impresses seasoned animal behaviorists and first-time visitors alike, and she brings comfort and joy to everyone she meets.
The impact of Gingersnaps and the Faeryland’s Farm program is already evident. With 29 therapy visits and more than 100 hours of certified therapy work, she has touched countless lives. Survey results and observation notes consistently highlight her calming presence, and community members often share glowing testimonials about their experiences with her.
Gingersnaps’ star moment unfolded at the celebrated Mayberry/I Love Lucy Festival in Historic Granville, Tennessee, where she portrayed the “Loaded Goat” from The Andy Griffith Show (Season 3, Episode 18). She delighted festival-goers of all ages, posed for photos—including one with an Elvis impersonator—and embodied the spirit of a gentle, approachable animal therapy.
Faeryland’s Farm is led by two dedicated professionals—Cora Moore, CEO, and Joseph Kaiser, President. Cora is a college professor teaching psychology and history, and is certified in pet psychology, child psychology, animal nutrition, pet CPR, and animal reiki. Her expertise helps guide the Farm’s therapeutic and educational missions. Joe brings over thirty years of experience working with equines as a farrier and trainer, and is a skilled dog trainer, further enriching the sanctuary’s approach to animal care and training.
Of the five goats in Faeryland’s Farm’s pioneering therapy program, Gingersnaps is the first to pass all training and evaluation assessments, setting a national precedent for what goats can achieve in therapeutic roles. She will continue participating in supervised visits, with ongoing observation and a formal reevaluation scheduled in six months to maintain excellence and ensure continuous growth.
With Gingersnaps now recognized as an official therapy goat, Faeryland’s Farm is finally eligible for grants that will be instrumental in expanding programs and enriching the lives of all its animals and the people they visit. This pivotal achievement opens doors for us to develop and share our specialized goat training program with others, fostering not only sustainability for the farm but also creating new opportunities to support rescues nationwide. By selling our training curriculum, we can extend our impact, helping more animals find purpose and care through therapeutic work.
Now, with our enhanced credentials and access to new resources, we are preparing to bring the healing joy of therapy animals to children’s hospitals, cancer treatment centers, and veterans’ organizations—places that hold deep meaning for our team. For founder Cora Moore, this mission is personal: her father served as a Chaplain’s Assistant in the Army, and her mother is a cancer survivor. These experiences have shaped the heart and vision of Faeryland’s Farm, inspiring a commitment to serve those who need comfort the most.
Looking forward, Faeryland’s Farm is hoping to collaborate with PetPartners to create a national goat therapy training program. The ultimate goal is to develop a comprehensive national certification program so qualified goats across the United States can receive training and join the ranks of therapy animals.
If any goat is up to the challenge, it is Gingersnaps—whose patience, affection, and composure sets the gold standard for therapy goats everywhere. Faeryland’s Farm stands as a beacon of rescue, education, and healing, helping animals and people alike discover the transformative power of connection.
For more information about Gingersnaps, the therapy goat program, donating to support our work, or opportunities to visit Faeryland’s Farm, contact us.
