MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Before the pandemic Amy Register didn’t own a single farm animal. That all changed when her husband came home one day.

What You Need To Know

• Amy Register lost her mom in 2020, and shortly after, her son needed emergency brain surgery
• In addition, her personal training business had come to a standstill due to the pandemic
• One day her husband brought home a goat and some chicks to cheer her up

Register’s favorite part of her morning is saying hi to all nine of her goats. She has named each one of them, but they’re just one of many animals that keep her busy.

“In the mornings, I am out here doing the morning feed and cleaning their dishes,” Register said. “It’s like your kitchen, but out here.”

She has more than 50 chickens, goats, pigs and more. It can get pretty messy and is a lot of work, but Register wouldn’t trade it for the world.

“I love each and every one of them, just like somebody would love their dog,” Register said.

That’s because these furry friends brought joy when Register was going through an emotional few months.

Right when the pandemic hit last year, her mom was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“My sister and I sat at her bedside for six weeks while we watched her basically drown, because they get to a point where they are gasping for air,” Register said.

Her mom passed away, and then two days later, her son needed emergency brain surgery. On top of that, her personal training business was at a standstill due to COVID-19.

One day she and her husband just broke down.

“We cried in each other’s arms and said, ‘We just need something happy, something happy,’” Register said.

“Happy” was the name of the very first goat her husband brought home. They started out with one goat and a few chicks, but that quickly turned into a whole farm. She also does goat yoga once a month and holds private events.

“We do bachelorette parties, parties for kids and adults, you name it,” Register said.

Their first goat named Happy died from complications with bladder stones, but Register said he was on this earth for a purpose.

“I think he was put on this earth to make a lot of people happy,” Register said. “None of this would have happened without him. Thousands of people come here because they want to feel happy.”

Register holds goat yoga at her house in Mooresville the first Saturday of every month. It’s open to the public, and the next session will be November 6.