Riley became ill suddenly, and despite every effort to save her, including emergency care at Cornell University’s Hospital for Animals, her little body could not recover. An autopsy later revealed that an uncommon bacterium, while not infectious, had taken too great a toll on her system. We are deeply grateful to the dedicated team at Cornell for the compassion and excellent care they showed Riley during her time with them.

Riley’s story began here at Lollypop Farm when her mother, Joy, was surrendered to us while heavily pregnant. Soon after, Joy gave birth to triplets: Riley, Phyllis, and Bing Bong. While Phyllis and Bing Bong found a loving adoptive home, Riley and Joy showed an extraordinary bond with people. Their gentle natures and love of attention made them perfect candidates to remain at Lollypop Farm as permanent residents and ambassadors for their species.

Riley touched countless lives. She greeted children at Summer Camp, delighted school field trip groups, and brightened the days of donors and visitors alike. Beyond her sweet and playful spirit, Riley served an important role by teaching people about goats, farm animal care, and the bond between humans and animals.

Though her time with us was far too short, Riley made an unforgettable impact. She will be dearly missed by her Lollypop Farm family, along with the many visitors she met. Her mother, Joy, continues to live here on the farm with her fellow resident goats.

Riley’s legacy will live on in the lessons she taught and the joy she brought to so many.

Our staff was quick to share their memories and thoughts, further demonstrating Riley’s impact:

Mary, Farm Manager – “From the moment Riley was born, you could tell she was special. She made every child and adult smile who met her. She was a very lucky girl, because she knew nothing but love her entire life.”

Calen, Farm Caretaker – “Riley brought such a strong presence to the farm. Although she was the smallest of the goats, her personality was quite the opposite. She was smart, she made you laugh, she was sassy, and she definitely knew how adorable she was. She was captivating. Riley was loved and adored from the moment she was born to the day we had to say goodbye. She is missed every day, but with every “remember when __”, her presence still is and will always be at Lollypop Farm. Thanks for making our days brighter, Riley.”

Emily, Farm Caretaker – “The world feels different without Riley’s presence, but her memory is woven into every corner of the farm. We will miss her morning greetings when she used to tell us that we were going too slow at feeding time. Riley wasn’t just a goat, she was family—and the farm feels a little quieter without her.”

Alyssa, Humane Education Program Supervisor – “Riley made an immediate and lasting impact on everyone she met, easily bringing smiles to children and adults alike. Alongside Joy, Riley was a staple of our programs, teaching countless students, campers, and adults about the importance of animal consent and agency. Her presence ensured these essential lessons were engaging and unforgettable. She brought so much happiness to our students, shelter helpers, campers, and humane educators, and she will be profoundly missed by the entire Education Team and every child who learned from her.”

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Throughout the week that followed, we shared insight into one of the programs that always operates behind the scenes at Lollypop Farm but isn’t talked about very often – our End of Life Services Program. Keep reading to explore some of the facets of this program, all aimed at helping pets and people in our community during a particularly difficult time.

Memorializing a lost pet

We know how important it is to memorialize a lost friend.

In celebration of the human-animal bond, the Heart of Lollypop Love Courtyard near our main entrance features an artistic display of shining silver Celebration Tags, allowing supporters to pay tribute or memorialize that special someone. With a donation of $50, personalized messages are engraved on celebration tags, and proudly displayed in the courtyard. The purchase of a celebration tag also directly supports the care of homeless and abused pets at Lollypop Farm – truly a gift that goes on and on.

We also offer a number of options for memorializing a lost pet – from whimsical wind chimes to granite engravings, there are so many ways to share your love for a special friend.

Click here to create a Celebration Tag or learn more about ways to memorialize a lost friend.

Pet Loss Support Groups

As an organization of animal lovers, we know how important it is to grieve the loss of a pet and have a space to express feelings and emotions. That why we provide a free (now virtual) Pet Loss Support group every single month. These meetings provide a safe, supportive, and understanding environment for community members. “Getting Through the Grief: Living with Pet Loss,” is led by two volunteer facilitators and gives participants the opportunity to express feelings, share with others, and learn how to cope.

Learn more about our Pet Loss Support groups: https://www.lollypop.org/services/end-of-life-services/pet-loss-support-groups/

Humans of Lollypop: Lindsay Cooney

Lindsay Cooney is a member of our team here at Lollypop Farm that you may not have met before. She has a very important role as our Pet Loss Support Services Manager, helping grieving families deal with the loss of their pets, and what to do after they pass. Lindsay received her BA in Social Work from the University of Kentucky in 2015. During her undergraduate study, she had the opportunity to work at Lexington Humane Society as an Animal Care Technician/Adoption Specialist. This sparked her interest in animal human relationships. A professor who knew of this interest informed her of the University of Tennessee’s offering of the Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program, and Lindsay graduated with her MSSW and VSW-CP in May of 2017 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Lindsay is an incredible resource to the team here at Lollypop Farm.

A safe place to grieve at Lollypop Farm

We know how difficult saying good-bye to a beloved pet can be. That is why Lollypop Farm offers a comfortable and peaceful space for families to grieve. Whether you are bringing a pet in to say good-bye or joining us for a Pet Loss Support Group, Lollypop Farm offers a compassionate team in a supportive environment during this difficult time. Our grieving room is a special, quiet place for peace and reflection, and we are happy to be able to provide this resource to families dealing with the loss of a beloved pet.

Learn more about End of Life Services at Lollypop Farm: www.lollypop.org/services/end-of-life-services
Questions? Please feel free to contact our End-of-Life Care Services Department at (585) 223-1330 x 210 or by email at petloss@lollypop.org.

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