Claremore is home to many unique and wonderful families, and the Cleary family is no exception. Billy and Sheila, along with their four children—Tre, Ariel, Aviah, and Anica—moved to Claremore in May of last year. Their arrival was marked by an unforgettable event: the devastating tornado that tore through the area, destroying much of their road and the nearby KOA campground. "Our second night here, the big tornado hit the race track and destroyed the KOA. It hit the road we live on and destroyed most of the houses by us. It lifted right before it hit our home," Sheila recalls. Despite the terrifying experience, they have settled in and come to love their new community.

Originally from Ohio, Billy and Sheila met and grew up there before making their way to Oklahoma 22 years ago. They first moved to Broken Arrow to attend Rhema and later relocated to Claremore. Today, they run Mini Cuddles Ranch, a mobile petting zoo featuring adorable miniature animals, bringing joy to events throughout the region. They also host gatherings at their ranch, sharing their love for animals with the community. In addition to their petting zoo, the Clearys operate a family-run pool cleaning business.

As a family deeply connected to animals, they have a large and diverse menagerie. From miniature horses and donkeys to alpacas, pigs, ducks, chickens, bunnies, cats, and dogs, their ranch is a haven for furry and feathered friends. They also own full-sized riding horses and take pride in the role each animal plays in their family business. "We love all of them, and they all have their role as part of the ranch," Sheila shares.

One of the Clearys' favorite traditions is celebrating holidays by incorporating their animals into festive photo sessions. They dress up their miniature animals for families to take holiday pictures, creating cherished memories for local residents.

Beyond their ranch, the Clearys enjoy being involved in the Claremore community. They recently joined the Chamber of Commerce and have already celebrated their official ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 14. Sheila shares, "We are new to the area and still learning new places, but we love local businesses." While most of their time has been spent working on the ranch, they are excited to explore more of what Claremore has to offer.

Their first year in Claremore has been filled with new friendships and community engagement, and they are eager to continue making memories here. If you’d like to learn more about Mini Cuddles Ranch, you can connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok under @minicuddlesmobileranch. They can also be reached by email at minicuddlesmobileranch@gmail.com or by phone at 918-671-4037. Their ranch is located at 19606 S 4200 Rd, Claremore, OK 74019. The Clearys are thrilled to have settled in Claremore and look forward to sharing their passion for animals with the community!