7/08/10

The Gentle Barn

Ellie Laks

Show Description:
Several weeks ago Oprah shared the story of a group of sixty dairy cows, located in the Santa Clarita area of California, who were too sick to take to slaughter and unwanted at the dairy barn where they once provided milk. The non profit, The Gentle Barn pledged to accept all sixty cows once they were healthy enough to travel (a service provided by the local Animal Control Service). The Gentle Barn is a wonderful non profit that was begun out of the difficult childhood experience of the founder, who combined her love of animals and desire to help other abused and neglected children.
The Gentle Barn Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1999 as a safe haven and place of recovery for abused farm animals and children. We are home to over 120 rescued animals and we are host to at-risk, inner-city and special needs kids.
Our unique treatment philosophy rehabilitates animals and connects their stories of survival and healing to the personal experiences of at-risk and special needs children who have suffered physical, mental or emotional trauma.Through the interaction with our animals, the children learn forgiveness, courage, strength, leadership skills, trust, empathy and kindness. The healing that takes place is truly miraculous!

http://www.gentlebarn.org

Guest Bio:
Ellie Laks founded The Gentle Barn in Tarzana in 1999; it was a dream of hers since she was 7 years old. Animals were always very healing and nurturing to her as she faced the challenges of growing up, finding herself, fitting in, feeling understood, etc. She majored in special education and psychology, and with her special love of animals and children, The Gentle Barn was a perfect way of putting all her talents and passions into one.

Jay Weiner joined The Gentle Barn in 2002 as a volunteer, but fell in love with the place and the two joined forces to heal even more children and animals. Like Ellie, Jay also turned to animals for the support, love and nurturing he needed as a child.

The Gentle Barn started on a half-acre property in the middle of the San Fernando Valley, CA. In 2003 The Gentle Barn moved to a six-acre paradise in Santa Clarita, CA. The property is complete with large horse and cow pastures, a red and white barnyard for the smaller animals, an organic vegetable garden, lots of shade trees, and a panoramic view of gorgeous mountains. Our 120 rescued animals are safe and happy at The Gentle Barn, and there is plenty of room to welcome our visitors and the children we host.

The ultimate goal is to open Gentle Barn's across the country so that every animal and child can have a place of healing and safety and where they can be seen for the perfect beings that they are. Since its inception, The Gentle Barn has been home to hundreds of animals and host to over 100,000 people.