by Susan B. Lyle

Doug Terranova is somewhat apologetic for his appearance. "It’s spring-cleaning time around here," he explains, wiping sweat out of his eyes. "I’ve been cleaning out the barn."

The barn is the centerpiece of this rural farm, and cleaning it is not an easy proposition. In addition to a few house cats sleeping next to a cage full of doves, this particular barn is home to a few rabbits, 10 dogs, three tigers, a bear, a lion, a cougar and an elephant - who live together in a remarkably peaceful coexistence.

A herd of assorted hoofed animals, including miniature horses, Shetland ponies, llamas, donkeys and horses grazes the pasture.

Terranova and Jackie Janis run Animal Talent of Texas, an animal talent agency that provides animals for everything from petting zoos at birthday parties to elephant rides for fund raisers.

They also train animals for movies, videos, television shows, commercials and print work. Their list of clients includes McDonald’s, Rainier Beer, Hill’s Science Diet, Sterling Plumbing, Southwestern Bell Yellowpages, Budweiser, the Texas Lottery, Eyemasters, Phillips Petroleum and the GMC truck ads with Troy Aikman (they supplied the bear).

They have supplied trained animals for the Texas-filmed movies Problem Child (an elephant), My Boyfriend’s Back (the dogs), Leap of Faith (a puppy) and the upcoming Ace Ventura sequel, Ace Ventura Goes to Africa (an elephant and a giraffe rented from a circus for two weeks).

They also have several long-term engagements, including a seven month booking for a bird show at a theater in Branson, MO., and a seven-week booking in Silver Dollar City, MO., for Janis and her dog act.

Back at the barn, two new tigers are sharing one cage. The big cats are usually kept in separate cages, but these two - a brother and a sister who were raised together - are sharing a cage until they make the transition to their new home.

They rub along the sides of the cage, hoping for a scratch on the back. Instead of purring, they do the big cat equivalent - "chuffling," which is kind of like blowing air out of their noses.

The bear is named Teddy. He takes a daily trip to the pond for splashing and fishing, and he likes to wrestle.

The elephant’s name is Kamba. "she likes to have her tongue rubbed," Janis said. "That’s how she makes friends."

To keep exotic animals, Terranova and Janis are licensed as exhibitors by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA makes at least two home inspections a year. "The only thing they don’t like about my place is that I keep all the animals in the barn together," Terranova said. "But I need them to all be compatible, so if they have to work together for a commercial or a movie, the contact won’t cause them stress."

Terranova and Janis live in a trailer next to the barn. They are in the middle of a major expansion project that will ultimately include a house, several runs for the dogs and a house for the big cats.