The Gentle Barn

Founded in 1999, by Ellie R. Laks and Jay Weiner, The Gentle Barn serves to rescue injured and neglected farm animals from across the country. Today, more than 120 rescued animals call the barn home. Ellie and Jay offer the animals love, trust and rehabilitated from emotional and physical injuries.

The rehabilitation process includes deep tissue massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, herbs, nutritional supplements, top quality feed and a whole lot of T.L.C. by the Barn staff. Through this process, the animals have learned to rebuild trusting relationships with humans.

Even more remarkable, is the therapy that the animals offer to the people around them. Children who have suffered from similar types of situations can begin their healing process by finding comfort in the remarkable stories that each of the animals lives can share. With this goal in mind, Ellie and Jay work with children from group homes, mental health care facilities and foster homes.

The Gentle Barn operates with a mission to teach kindness and compassion to children, in addition to the therapy work with special groups—anyone can visit the Barn from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Sunday. During a visit to the Barn you’ll be able to help feed and care for the animals ($5 donation). Then animals love to receive visitors!

When you visit, be sure to give a pig a nice tummy rub. Then, hug and brush a cow, hold a chicken, groom a horse and pet the sheep and goats. For a more in-depth experience, schedule a private tour with the founders to visit and hear the stories of each animal ($400 donation).

If you’re looking for an extra special way to spend your child’s next birthday, The Gentle Barn will make it a day to remember. In addition to the private tour, children will learn about why pigs love mud, why roosters crow and how animals talk with their body language. There is a picnic area for bringing your own lunch or snacks while visiting; however; the barn staff asks that you do not bring meat, poultry or fish—out of respect for the animals, of course.

The rescue and rehabilitation of these animals can be very expensive; The Gentle Barn is a non-profit organization that operates completely on donations. One of the largest fundraising efforts that the Barn is working towards is the emergency cow rescue project—hoping to rescue 60 dairy cows from a dairy that is being shut down. The cows exist in very poor conditions, are malnourished and are extremely sick. The fundraising efforts will help to build two barns to accommodate the cows—with a goal of raising $100,000 to build one of the barns, a private donor has pledged to pay for the other barn.

Other fundraising efforts include a charity golf tournament in June. For more information on visiting the Barn and the many ways that you can support their fundraising efforts or volunteer services, visit the website.

- by Jennifer Pruett, Los Angeles Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jennifer Pruett

A self proclaimed “queen of everything," Jennifer is a writer, planner and passionate lover of making exciting events extra special. As a creative mother of two she loves art, music, family, friends, exotic cuisine and exploring new areas of self improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma and has been writing restaurant and attraction reviews in the Phoenix Metro area since January, 2009.