Our family
Meet the Family Behind Hooves & Hugs
Hooves & Hugs started with a simple idea: share our family's love for animals by creating experiences that bring families, kids, and friendly farm animals together.
How Hooves & Hugs Started
Hooves & Hugs was founded by Jakob Alonzo and Michael Piñones with a shared vision of bringing their love for farm animals to families throughout the San Antonio community.
For Michael, farm animals have been part of life since childhood. He grew up on a farm, learning firsthand how to care for and work with animals. That experience stayed with him into adulthood and eventually led to Michael owning a farm of his own.
For Jakob, animals and family have always gone hand in hand. As a father of four daughters who love animals, Jakob has spent years caring for animals alongside his family and has personally helped raise animals from birth into healthy, happy adults.
Together, Jakob and Michael created Hooves & Hugs to take those experiences beyond their own families and give other children and families the opportunity to interact with farm animals up close. The goal is simple: bring friendly animals, hands-on fun, and memorable experiences directly to birthday parties and events throughout San Antonio and surrounding communities.
The people behind the animals
Meet the Team
Jakob Alonzo
Co-Owner
Jakob is a father of four daughters and has seen firsthand how special the connection between kids and animals can be. His family has raised and cared for animals from birth through adulthood, giving him hands-on experience with the daily responsibility that comes with caring for them. For Jakob, Hooves & Hugs is about creating the same kind of animal experiences his own family loves for other families throughout the San Antonio area.
Michael Piñones
Co-Owner
Michael's experience with farm animals began long before Hooves & Hugs. Growing up on a farm gave him firsthand experience caring for and handling farm animals from an early age. His love for that lifestyle continued into adulthood and eventually led him to owning a farm of his own. Michael brings that lifelong familiarity with farm animals to Hooves & Hugs and plays an important role in the care and handling of our animals.
Amberlee Alonzo
Social Media & Content Manager / Event Coordinator
As the oldest of four sisters, Amberlee has spent much of her life helping care for both children and animals. From helping with younger kids to caring for animals of all sizes, she brings a natural patience and comfort around both to Hooves & Hugs.
Amberlee helps coordinate events and manages social media and content for Hooves & Hugs. She is also CPR certified, adding another layer of preparedness when helping our family create enjoyable experiences for guests.
For Amberlee, being part of Hooves & Hugs means combining two things she has grown up around and loves: kids and animals.
More Than a Family-Owned Business
When we say Hooves & Hugs is family-owned and operated, we mean it. Our family is involved in caring for the animals, preparing for events, creating content, coordinating experiences, and helping make each celebration special.
The animals aren't simply part of our business. They're animals we know, care for, and spend time with ourselves.
Our goal is to create an experience we'd feel comfortable bringing to our own family's celebration.
At the center of everything
The Heart of Hooves & Hugs
Our animals are at the center of everything we do. Their health, comfort, and care come first, both at home and while they're visiting an event. We want guests to have the opportunity to experience farm animals up close while making sure those interactions remain enjoyable for the animals as well.
Ready to Meet the Hooves & Hugs Family?
Let our family bring the animals to yours. Check availability for your next birthday party or special event in San Antonio and surrounding areas.