The Gentle Barn
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 130 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.
{excerpt from www.gentlebarn.org}
"The instant connection with the animals that is made each and every time we bring our boys there is almost impossible to describe without using words like "extraordinary," and "uplifting." There is more to the connection than just curiosity on both the boy's and animals' parts. There is an understanding of what it means to have a second chance. Whether you happen to walk on 2 feet, 4 hooves, or merely just enjoy the sensation of watching as two completely different creatures, human and animal, learn something that books can't teach." -Pacific Lodge Boys' Home
"The soul is the same in all living creatures,
although the body of each is different."
-Hippocrates
When people come to The Gentle Barn, they spend time bathing and grooming the horses and cows, going on nature hikes, feeding the animals, planting and tending vegetable gardens, and learning about the animals and their backgrounds. "The first time they come, they come very defensive, very shut down, very unwilling to talk to us or even look at us," says Laks. "They think that it's a total waste of their time, and they wonder what they're doing there. "But when we tell them the stories about the animals we have, and the abuse that they've gone through, (the kids) quietly start paying attention. And after about 20 minutes of us talking to them, they soon realize that the animals are a lot like themselves." Buzzle Staff
After just a few visits, deeper effects begin to emerge. "They really transform," says Laks. "It's the sweetest, most miraculous thing to watch." Buzzle Staff
“Portia and I recently learned about an incredible organization called The Gentle Barn,” Ellen wrote on her website. “It’s located in Santa Clarita, California and it’s home to 120 farm animals that have been rescued from abusive situations. At The Gentle Barn, these animals are loved, cared for and rehabilitated. The Gentle Barn also brings in at-risk and special needs kids to learn about the animals, about trust, and most importantly, about compassion.” Ellen Degeneres
