The Gentle Barn

We provide a place for people and animals to be reminded that they matter.-Ellie Laks, founder of The Gentle Barn

Last weekend I had the incredible opportunity to visit The Gentle Barn, a very special place in southern California that exemplifies everything the concept of “kind living” is all about. You may have heard of The Gentle Barn before on The Ellen Degeneres Show. The Gentle Barn is a rescue sanctuary for animals that have suffered unimaginable abuse and neglect, as well as the home of an innovative therapeutic rehabilitation program for at-risk inner city youth.

The Gentle Barn was created with the understanding that all creatures have the same heart and at the end of the day we all just want to have a good life. Just as the animals at the barn have suffered tremendous abuse, neglect, and abandonment, so have the children that participate in the therapeutic rehabilitation program. It is a powerful and transformative experience for a child to be able to look into the eyes of an animal whose stories of abuse, neglect, starvation, abandonment and lack of love echo their own. Together the children and animals are healed by learning to work in harmony, build trust, be kind, receive kindness and develop mutual respect.

Here are photos of the amazing animals and amazing people I met at The Gentle Barn:

This is Buttercup. More precisely this is Buttercup and me taking a selfie. Buttercup was rescued from extreme abuse and neglect. Due to the abuse she suffered, the calf she was carrying passed away shortly after she was rescued. After that Buttercup decided to take on the role of mom to all the orphaned baby calves that come to the barn. Besides being a mama her favorite thing to do is lick people.

Another selfie with Buttercup.

Buttercup trying on a bow.

Giving Buttercup a full body rub down…cows like a good back scratch just like anyone else!

This is Dolly! She has a sweet and gentle soul.

Dolly sitting proud and enjoying the sun.

Look at this enormous and beautiful girl Faith. Faith was born into the dairy industry. At one day old she was taken from her mother and put into a tiny veal crate unable to stand or move. She developed a horrible case of conjunctivitis that caused her to go permanently blind. When she first came to the barn she walked in circles because she had never been given the opportunity to walk before. After healing and adjusting to life at The Gentle Barn Faith learned to walk, run and play. She’s now happy and healthy!

How cool are Bella the goat’s eyes?

This is Ginger the goat. Is it just me or is she trying to work it for the camera with that little smirk?

Ginger and me soakin’ up the sun.

Ginger closing her eyes while enjoying some love and attention.

Brave Heart enjoying a good head scratch. I think we’re both smiling 🙂 Brave Heart was raised for meat but ran away and eventually found himself a lucky boy at The Gentle Barn.

Ginger liked the camera.

This is Sir Francis aka Sir Fancy Pants. He is the only male turkey at the barn and his favorite activity is to strut his stuff for the ladies. How beautiful are all the colors on his head? I never knew turkeys were so colorful! I don’t blame him for wanting to show off.

These are two of Sir Francis’ lady turkey friends, Krishna and Rama. They seemed pretty unenthused by Sir Francis’ antics.

Krishna and all her pretty colors.

Sir Francis strutting his stuff…poor guy…no one’s looking!

The pigs liked to do typical pig things…like snooze…here’s Snoopy taking a snooze.

And Sidney taking a snooze…

And Jellie taking a snooze… (See a theme here?? 😉 )

Sassy the goat being sassy and talking for the camera.

A whole lotta animals! Check out the goat on the left scaling the fence and the goat on the right sitting in the water bin. The animals have lots of room to spread out but they choose to be by each other because they are all friends.

Rascalina and I deep in conversation.

Sweet little Addison the donkey.

Having a moment with Patrick.

So honored to have the opportunity to meet Ellie Laks, the founder of The Gentle Barn. This barn was her dream since she was seven years old. She was so kind…taking the time to talk to me about our shared love of plant-based foods, animals and the environment. She even took the time to write down some of her favorite LA area plant-based restaurants for me!

Ellie has her first book coming out March 25th called My Gentle Barn. The book is already a number one bestseller on Amazon and hasn’t even been released yet!

The Gentle Barn is a magical place, to say the least. Thank you to them for the amazing work they do to make this world a better place. I feel so lucky to have been able to visit such an inspiring place. Thank you to Ellie Laks for everything she does for animals and people, and for being so warm and welcoming. And special thanks to my dad for traveling all this way with me to check out The Gentle Barn. If anyone is interested in donating to this wonderful cause check out gentlebarn.org or buy Ellie’s book here.

xo,

Tedi