By Christopher Harris
Lots of young people love being around animals. It takes a special kind of young person to figure out how to turn that into a business, however.
But that ' s the nature of the beast for Lacy Johnson.
Johnson, 18, is the owner of Lacy ' s Animals on Wheels, a mobile petting zoo that has helped the Southwestern High School graduate get on her feet in life a little ahead of schedule— thanks to critters with four feet to get on.
" I grew up on a farm, and I have always enjoyed working alongside my dad and feeding and caring for the animals," said Johnson, who graduated high school early and now attends Campbellsville University. " My dad bought my first sheep when I was 6 years old, and I have grown my herd to 200 head of sheep. I have always had a special connection with the animals."
Johnson, of Nancy, started Lacy ' s Animals on Wheels in 2023 when she was 16. " Dana Speck, the owner of Brighter Futures, encouraged me to start a mobile petting zoo," said Johnson. " She was always asking me if she could use my animals for her employee Easter party."
The next key step was getting involved with the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce ' s Young Entrepreneurs Academy( YEA!) program, in which local students learn how to build and market their own business from the ground up with the help of mentors and business professionals in the community.
The program concludes each year with the students presenting their business ideas to a panel of investors, much like the hit " Shark Tank " television show. Johnson and her mobile petting zoo won that presentation, earning a college scholarship to Campbellsville University along with $ 1,000 to help grow and develop her business.
" It helped me come up with my business plan and learn all the behind-the-scenes( information), all about finance plans," said Johnson of YEA!. " At first, starting my own business, I didn ' t know any of that, so it taught me all that, and helped get my name out there too."
Johnson would also win a $ 5,000 grant for supplies through a " Shark Tank "-style program through FFA, or Future Farmers of America in 2024.
Lacy ' s Animals on Wheels serves a variety of different events, such as birthday parties, church events, school events, county fairs, and more.
" We bring the animals to the event and set up pens to provide a safe barrier between the animals and the participants," said Johnson. " Everyone can feed and pet the animals. If requested, the pony can also give cart rides."
The zoo ' s roster includes a micro mini cow, miniature pony, miniature donkey, sheep, goat, and rabbit.
" I think the easiest animals to work with are the micro mini cow and the pony," said Johnson, noting that Diesel, the cow, may be the most popular with other people. " The
�Lacy ' s Animals at the Faubush Fire Department
April 2025 SEKY- Southeast Kentucky Life • 7