-Submitted photo
Lacey Baker and her partner Jason McCorkel enjoy time with their mini horses on Baker’s five-acre mini Dreams Ranch. Her ranch is home to an eclectic herd of critters that includes mini donkeys, mini horses, mini pigs, mini cows and goats, as well as a handful of cats and dogs.

DALLAS CENTER — Animals have always held a special place in Lacey Baker’s heart. Since she was 19, she volunteered and worked at Timber Creek Therapies in Guthrie Center.

Today, she brings smiles to people’s faces with the mini animals she raises and tends to at her Dallas Center ranch.

Established in 2024, mini Dreams Ranch is called home by an eclectic herd of critters that includes mini donkeys, mini horses, mini pigs, mini cows and goats, as well as a handful of cats and dogs. As the owner and operator — as well as a mom of four kids — Baker loves sharing her passion for animals and knowledge of them with others in various ways.

Mini Dreams Ranch welcomes people to the five-acre property for birthday parties, hands-on farm experiences, goat yoga, day retreats and more. Baker and her menagerie also will travel for special appearances at special events, for goat grams, company outings, photoshoots and other events.

“We offer unique, hands-on experiences, throwing in a bit of education, with all of our miniature animals. From birthday parties at the ranch, off-site events, goat yoga, goat grams, pretty much any ask, and we’ll try to make it happen,” Baker said. “Our goal is to share our love of animals and spread joy and bring smiles to everyone that meets them. My animals are all loved as my children, and I take great pride in working with every one of them so they’re used to every situation that may arise so we can offer a safe experience for all. The first thing I teach any animal on my farm is to give kisses.”

Farm tours include a one-hour walk around the ranch learning the ins and outs. It starts and ends in the shop with the kittens and includes meeting the goats, mini cows, mini donkeys and mini horses.

The shop is where indoor events are hosted, plus there’s also a two-stall lean-to in the back and several three-sided buildings for protection from the elements.

“Visitors may enter the pens and pastures to be surrounded by animals and all of their kisses and snuggles,” Baker said. “Sometimes, our bearded dragons make an appearance as well, if my children are home and leading the tours. Surprisingly, all but the goats and ducks seem to love the snow.”

The farm tours are open to anyone by appointment only and when the weather cooperates. Baker and her partner, Jason McCorkel, are considering being open to the public one weekend during each warmer month next year so that more people can visit the farm and immerse themselves in the mountains of love brought by the minis at the ranch.

Birthday parties can be held at the ranch, which include such items as tables, chairs and a backdrop set up in their shop for the festivities, along with pens set up outside that highlight the goats, mini horses, mini donkeys and mini cows. The cats, chickens, ducks and the rest of the animals are accessible as well.

“We also travel with normally just two to four animals for off-site visits. For bigger events like citywide celebrations, summer library programs, open houses, daycares, nursing homes, we will bring more depending on the request,” Baker said. “For goat grams, the goats wear diapers and onesies so they can play inside and dress to the occasion.”

Day retreats usually are hosted at a location where the animals travel and help the clients relax and refresh. They also can be used as part of a learning or healing program and at adult handicap facilities, for example, Baker said.

Obviously, the goats make an appearance and socialize at goat yoga, which has been held at such off-site employers as Hyperion Golf and Country Club, Brokers International, Graham Construction and HyVee Corporation.

She pulls up in her purple trailer with the animals, since purple is her favorite color.

“Photographers can book time at the ranch for specific animals, then we get them clean and ready, and hold them during the shoots. The mini cows and unicorn are the biggest requests,” Baker said. “Senior photos, holiday shoots, tea parties, milestone birthdays — these along with special needs visitors are my favorites.”

In the five years since mini Dreams Ranch was set up, Baker has fallen in love with all of the special events and appreciates all of her clients. Demand for their services and visits at the farm has grown so much since 2020 that she and her partner are eyeing expanding in the future.

“My 10-year-old daughter has made it very clear she is also a founder and has my retirement planned already. We do need more parking to host larger events,” she said. “I probably love these events the most. I get such great joy from seeing others getting loved on by my fur babies. Newborns to 98-year-olds and everyone in between love them. Last year, a lady stated, ’96 years old, just getting my first goat kiss and it was the best!'”

While Baker and her partner carved out space for a garden at the ranch this year, Baker jokes that she’s better at keeping animals alive than plants.

“I’m not known for having a green thumb and the cows discovered they love using the tomato and pumpkin plants as their personal back scratchers, which didn’t aid my garden abilities,” she said.

While her two-legged and four-legged kids consume a lot of her time, Baker does work as an independent contractor in the digital ag space. She works from home and can set her own schedule. Her partner, Jason, works for Corteva, but both would love to one day focus solely on running the ranch.

“‘I couldn’t do any of this without the unwavering support of my partner, Jason. He also tells me no from time to time, which I don’t like but greatly need. (My kids) are a great help as well,” she said. “We are always looking for new opportunities to spread joy and share our animals.”

As mini Dreams Ranch wraps up its second year, Baker fondly reflected upon all of the special moments and memories she’s enjoyed.

One stuck out in her mind, though.

“I kicked off mini Dreams Ranch by offering Valentine goat grams in 2024. A goat gram is a baby goat, dressed and diapered, for Valentine’s Day. I include two gourmet cookies made by my friend at Smart Cookies, LLC in Waukee,” Baker said. “After a fun day of goat grams, I got a message from a mom. It said, ‘Thank you so much! My daughter is autistic and normally doesn’t sit still and rarely smiles.’ (As I’m looking at a photo of the little girl, goat on her lap with a HUGE smile on her face!) The little girl held my goat for almost 15 minutes, smiling the entire time. I had tears of joy, as did the mom.”