County Allowing Mineola Woman To Keep Comfort Cow

MINEOLA - A Mineola resident will be allowed to keep a cow, horse and three goats on her property that she says provide emotional support to help her deal with anxiety, depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder brought on by chronic pain that’s a result of a major back injury in 2004.

Mills County Attorney Naeda Elliott said the county will comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act and allow Nicole Stoppel to keep her animals.

“We’re making reasonable accommodations to meet her medical needs,” Elliott said.

Earlier this month, the Mills County Planning and Zoning Commission denied a request from Nicole Stoppel to amend the matrix in the county zoning ordinance which prohibits “animal production” in an area classified as a village. The unincorporated community of Mineola is recognized as a village by the county.

Stoppel and her husband, Greg, first came before the planning and zoning commission in September after receiving notice that housing the animals on their approximately half-acre property at 711 Main St. is in violation of the zoning ordinance. The notice was sent out after complaints and questions about the animals surfaced. Concerns were expressed about the effects the animal waste would have on nearby water systems and air quality. There were also concerns about the Stoppel’s previous practice of burning manure on their property. Greg Stoppel told the commission he no longer burns the manure and now has it hauled away.

Nicole Stoppel said she’s had multiple surgeries since “breaking her back” 14 years ago and has dealt with emotional issues as a result of her chronic pain. In a letter to the commission, Dr. Kimberly Vacek, a clinical psychologist at Nebraska Medicine, said the animals are providing “emotional support” to Nicole.

“It is my opinion that having her animals on her property has been instrumental in facilitating this patient’s emotional and physical well-being, both of which are essential to effective management of her chronic pain condition,” Dr. Vacek wrote.

Nicole Stoppel said she’s emotionally-attached to her animals and she’s spoken with her immediate neighbors, who are in support of her being allowed to keep the animals.

“Did I ever think I’d fall in love with a cow? No, but he’s my best friend,” she told members of the planning and zoning commission.