PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A 9-year-old Port Arthur girl is bringing smiles and laughs to Southeast Texas nursing homes with the help of her furry friend.
Korra Thomas and her 2-week-old calf "Copper" visited multiple nursing homes in Port Arthur and Groves.
"We thought it would be nice for them since they don't have a lot of people going there," she said.
Korra says when she first brought the then 2-day old calf to the first nursing home, he was a huge help in breaking the ice between her and the residents.
"When I first got there, I was a little bit shy, but once I started going places I was really happy," she said.
The dynamic duo visited the nursing homes earlier this month. He was a hit at all three.
"I think she was like a worker there and right when she saw him she started jumping," she said. "There was this lady she had a pink dress she was on a wheelchair and she loved it the most."
The woman in the pink dress told Korra seeing the baby cow brought back fond memories.
"She grew up on a farm and she had some cows and she loved baby cows," Korra said.
Korra has always had a passion for animals due to growing up with a family who spent decades raising cattle.
"I help mostly with the calves, milking them, and probably helping them give shots to them, and branding them," she said.
Korra wants to pursue her passion professionally one day by become a large animal veterinarian.
"I like the furry animals and I like big animals like elephants and stuff are my favorite," she said.
Korra plans to visit more nursing homes in Southeast Texas very soon, but this time she'll have a new friend by her side.
Since Copper is 2-weeks-old, he's a little too old.
Korra will be bringing in a new baby calf with her on her next visits.