Community Spotlight: Littlest Things in Carson City making big difference

Having an impact on a community like Carson City does not require anything monumental.

Think smaller, not larger. As in dwarf goat size.

At The Littlest Things in Southeast Carson City, big things come in small packages.

From dwarf goats to miniature ponies to tiny painted rocks given out at random as gifts to members of the community, The Littlest Things is all about paying it forward one random act of kindness at a time.

"The Littlest Things is a kindness nonprofit," said founder and director Zoe Cockerill. "We believe strongly that each act of kindness causes a ripple effect and improves the world we live in."

Like many other endeavors in Carson City, The Littlest Things started very small.

The organization was spawned more by happenstance than design as Cockerill began walking one of her miniature ponies as rehab for a spine injury.

While walking the pony down the road, neighbors would come out to visit the diminutive equine. Before long, if residents and their families weren't out greeting them as they walked by, they would join in on the walk. More than thirty people ended up walking with Cockerill and her pony at one point.

That's when she realized the sort of impact that small farm animals had on people.

"I wasn't the only one that was loving time with ponies," she said. "There's just something really peaceful about them."

Although The Littlest Things is not as conspicuous as other community service organizations, this seemingly tiny 501(c)3 federally registered non-profit has grown to fill many needs in the community.

"We started small, and as we spent time in the community, we learned of different needs and have done our best to fill them," Cockerill said.
"We've added a lot of programs since we started. Over time, people have let us know they need something and we try to do our best to meet those needs."

The organization operates a food pantry from an office at the Catalina Apartments, 700 Hot Springs Road in Carson City. Those in need can get shelf stable items as well as frozen meals ready to eat there.

While The Littlest Things performs a lot of two-legged outreach these days, Cockerill said, the nonprofit is primarily an animal welfare organization.

"We rescue animals — ponies, goats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, ferrets, the occasional dog and cat," she said.

Cockerill and her business partner, Pepper Kemp, have been funding much of the organization's needs themselves. However, they also rely on community donations and grants from corporate partners like Kohl's.

The Carson City Wal-Mart donates pet food to The Littlest Things on a weekly basis to help keep the nonprofit's pet pantry stalked for furry friends in need.

And the four-legged rescues in Cockerill's care pay it forward through The Littlest Things' outreach to people in the community, bringing the joy of small animals to young and old alike.

Cockerill and Kemp organize free monthly community events meant to bring a little bit of wholesome fun to people. They often feature petting zoos, pony walks, crafts, even water balloon fights and ice cream socials.

"Our outreach is primarily focused on teaching children about animals, safety, crafts and gardening," Cockerill said. "We focus most of our pay it forward efforts on seniors, veterans and the disabled."

The animal rescues provide therapeutic benefit to the populations that The Littlest Things serves — from socialization to just giving someone the thrill of furry company.

"Being able to love on an animal that you might not otherwise have access to is very soothing," Cockerill said. "So many times we hear children say I have never seen a real pony, or a senior say I have never petted a goat or held a chicken."

Not all of the animals rescued by The Littlest Things end up staying. Many are adopted out through a careful screening process overseen by Cockerill, who ensures the right homes are found for each animal's specific needs.

But a few of them do stay on Cockerill's one-acre property off Line Drive in Southeast Carson City.

There's Lady Anna, an 18 year-old United Kingdom Shetland pony who would just as soon lick people as look at them.

"She loves people and licks anything salty, but she prefers human salt," Cockerill said. "She is super friendly and loves people to lean on."

Then there is a pair of permanent resident goats: A male Nigerian dwarf goat named Peanut Butter and Gypsy Rose, a small fainting goat.

Peanut Butter is the lovable show-off, Cockerill said, with a pinch of larceny in him.

"He just seems to like kids. He loves to do tricks for treats and loves to frolic in the pen with people," she said. "He's also a bit of a daredevil."

There is also a pair of ducks, Blue and Ebony; a chicken who arrived in Cockerill's care sharing her name; a Boston Terrier named Bella; a black cat named Velvet Kitty who is the resident Facebook celebrity; and a semi-feral barn cat named Pumpkin Kitty.

Cockerill said fewer animals are in her care at the moment, but that can easily change. She has sheltered as many as 31 all at once.

Over two decades of animal welfare work, including a number of years in canine rescue, Cockerill estimates she has taken in upwards of 5,000 animals.

But she isn't out looking for animals to shelter, either. They just end up in her care through her community contacts.

"Most of the animals I get are through people who know me," she said. "I don't constantly to take in animals. What I try to do is if there's one that is not an easy adoption, I try to bring them in and rehab them."

For Cockerill and The Littlest Things, impact isn't determined by size or number, but rather the effect each outreach effort has on need.

"With each little thing that we do," said Cockerill, "it really is the littlest things that make the biggest difference."

To learn about how to donate or volunteer, visit The Littlest Things on the Web or find it on Facebook for more information.