The Gentle Barn Heals Humans And Animals Alike
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Ellie Laks began The Gentle Barn nonprofit organization in 1999. The farm started as a half-acre property in California’s San Fernando Valley but has since moved to a “6-acre paradise” in Santa Clarita, with a barnyard, horse and cow pastures, an organic vegetable garden, and plenty of shade trees. Over 200 rescue animals call it home, with many more residing at their Nashville and St. Louis locations. Along with standard barnyard inhabitants like horses, donkeys, sheep, chickens and cows, The Gentle Barn is also home to llamas, emus, peacocks and more.
The central mission of The Gentle Barn is to rescue animals who are otherwise too old, sick, lame or traumatized from severe abuse and neglect to live elsewhere. “We offer energy healing, music therapy, extra love and treats, and endless compassion to help them navigate their grief. It’s our responsibility to ensure that animals have the opportunity to grieve and heal, just like we do. Together, we can create a world where all beings are cherished and supported through life’s most difficult moments.”
Beyond saving animals, The Gentle Barn aims to serve humans. Each location offers a variety of programs, many designed for adults and children dealing with abuse, addiction, depression, loneliness, and other physical or emotional pain. Program options include cow hug therapy, equine (and other animal) therapy and peace enhancement, literacy, arts and special needs programs.
As the name implies, cow hug therapy encourages inner healing through connection with these gentle animals. “When given a chance to live and thrive in a safe, comforting environment, cows make amazing brothers, moms, friends and Cow Hug Therapy partners,” says the organization. For $200 a session, participants can lean against a cow’s side, match its breathing, and release their lingering worries and tension. Likewise, the nonprofit’s literacy program lets individuals practice their reading skills by reading out loud to a nonjudgemental audience of animals that enjoy the sounds of human voices. Time slots are available most days of the week and must be booked in advance.
The public can only visit the three locations on Sundays, though family and group tours can be arranged on other days. Financial aid is available to qualifying individuals who want to visit.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, The Gentle Barn Foundation, 15825 Sierra Hwy., Santa Clarita, Calif. 91390 (ph 661-252-2440; www.gentlebarn.org) or 9295 Christiana Fosterville Rd., Christiana, Tenn. 37037 or 9171 State Road Y, Dittmer, Mo. 63023.
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The Gentle Barn Heals Humans And Animals Alike LIVESTOCK Miscellaneous Ellie Laks began The Gentle Barn nonprofit organization in 1999 The farm started as a half-acre property in California’s San Fernando Valley but has since moved to a “6-acre paradise” in Santa Clarita with a barnyard horse and cow pastures an organic vegetable garden and plenty of shade trees Over 200 rescue animals call it home with many more residing at their Nashville and St Louis locations Along with standard barnyard inhabitants like horses donkeys sheep chickens and cows The Gentle Barn is also home to llamas emus peacocks and more The central mission of The Gentle Barn is to rescue animals who are otherwise too old sick lame or traumatized from severe abuse and neglect to live elsewhere “We offer energy healing music therapy extra love and treats and endless compassion to help them navigate their grief It’s our responsibility to ensure that animals have the opportunity to grieve and heal just like we do Together we can create a world where all beings are cherished and supported through life’s most difficult moments ” Beyond saving animals The Gentle Barn aims to serve humans Each location offers a variety of programs many designed for adults and children dealing with abuse addiction depression loneliness and other physical or emotional pain Program options include cow hug therapy equine and other animal therapy and peace enhancement literacy arts and special needs programs As the name implies cow hug therapy encourages inner healing through connection with these gentle animals “When given a chance to live and thrive in a safe comforting environment cows make amazing brothers moms friends and Cow Hug Therapy partners ” says the organization For $200 a session participants can lean against a cow’s side match its breathing and release their lingering worries and tension Likewise the nonprofit’s literacy program lets individuals practice their reading skills by reading out loud to a nonjudgemental audience of animals that enjoy the sounds of human voices Time slots are available most days of the week and must be booked in advance The public can only visit the three locations on Sundays though family and group tours can be arranged on other days Financial aid is available to qualifying individuals who want to visit Contact: FARM SHOW Followup The Gentle Barn Foundation 15825 Sierra Hwy Santa Clarita Calif 91390 ph 661-252-2440; www gentlebarn org or 9295 Christiana Fosterville Rd Christiana Tenn 37037 or 9171 State Road Y Dittmer Mo 63023
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