J K Ranch Travelling Farm

nimal show, entertaining groups with horses, chickens, rabbits and other animals found on their small St. Ranch Travelling Petting Zoo and Wagon rides. It started 14 years ago, with Josh and Cole going to retirement homes to entertain the residents. The boys would show off some of their animals, with Josh providing information on each animal. Cole, meanwhile, acted as Josh’s assistant, making sure the right animals were ready to be shown at the right time. Cole also played the role of the “Mountain Boy,” providing some laughs. Donning a sheriff’s hat with horns sticking out the sides and tattered clothes, the Mountain Boy would tell the audience that his clothes were tattered because he got in a fight with a grizzly bear.

“Then he’d say he brought the bear with him. And I’d ask why he’d do that and put everyone in danger. He’d reach into his bag and pull out a Teddy bear,” said Karl, the boys’ father, explaining the skit. When they started performing, Josh took an intense liking to it. He did his own research, searching the Internet and reading books about the characteristics and lives of the animals he was showing.

“It was all self-taught,” said Karl. Karl said he knew they were doing the right thing when Josh told him one day that it was all worth it because they were putting smiles on the faces of seniors. While Karl supervises and helps out when he can, it’s mostly up to the two boys to do everything from setting up and tearing down, to presenting the animals to informing the listeners. In addition to retirement homes, the brothers also perform at small birthday parties and other events. They travel all around Niagara, and even into Mississauga and the GTA. Karl said they’re even working with someone in Vaughan who wants to book them

“We started out in seniors’ homes and with family and friends,” explains Josh. Josh, now 21, and Cole, 19 J.K. Ranch is still visiting retirement homes, birthday party and events