The Gentle Barn

A Haven for Compassion, Resilience, Kindness, and Courage

by Shriya Swaminathan

As a bright young girl, Ellie Laks knew the importance of celebrating the natural world. From the gentle giants on acres of pasture lands to curious critters in the fields, Ellie remained unwavering in her profound amazement at our fellow species. This passion soon evolved into her calling—to champion compassion for all living creatures on our beautiful planet. What better space to spread the message of kindness than at a sanctuary for animals where residents live their lives in peace and dignity? She founded The Gentle Barn to do just that, and in this heartwarming interview with VEGWORLD, Ellie inspires us all to reevaluate society’s depiction of what it means to love animals.

Photos by The Gentle Barn

VW: Starting at the very beginning, do you recall your first deep connection with an animal?

EL: In my book, My Gentle Barn : Creating a Sanctuary Where Animals Heal and Children Learn to Hope, I write about my earliest memories of bonding with animals. I remember sneaking out the back door of my synagogue to the field behind, where I was much more content to play and explore than sit still and quiet inside. The field must have been on the migration path of the monarch butterfly because, in a few minutes, I was covered from head to toe in monarchs. My instinct was to hold still and quiet…..I had become an invited guest in their vibrant dance. I will forever remember the feeling of being part of them and vowing that I would do anything

to protect and love them. Those monarchs planted the first seeds of my obsession and passion for animals and nature. My childhood best friend, my dog Simon, was also a vital inspiration for me. I deeply believe that he would have done anything for me, and I know I would have done anything for him. EL: I found Mary the goat in an abusive petting zoo; she asked for help, and she set me on my path to healing and saving animals, bringing them home to my halfacre backyard for sanctuary. Mary reminded me of my purpose and childhood dream of starting The Gentle Barn.

VW: It wasn’t that long before you opened two more properties! What fueled that decision, and do you have plans on growing to a nationwide sanctuary initiative?

VW: Since its inception, the Gentle Barn has been a happy haven to many wonderful residents! Can you tell us about the very first resident who found their home at the Gentle Barn?

EL: When we heard about a cow who was missing a foot and going to slaughter, we saved him, healed him at the UT Knoxville animal hospital, and opened a Gentle Barn for him in Tennessee. Folks may have heard of the tremendous bravery of six cows who escaped a slaughterhouse in Missouri and ran for their lives. Though they were captured to be sent back to the slaughterhouse, the public outcry advocating for their release was enormous! The slaughterhouse owner said a sanctuary could come and get them. No one came forward, so we decided to open a Gentle Barn in Missouri for

them, where the St. Louis Six currently reside. These animals not only created our second and third locations, but their stories reached millions of people and opened millions of hearts to compassion and veganism. We have plans to start a Gentle Barn in New York next, so stay tuned for updates on that!

VW: Can you walk us through the different approaches The Gentle Barn takes to help their residents heal from their trauma and learn to trust our species?

EL: Each animal, upon arrival, is quarantined for thirty days until we know they are healthy. During that time, we sing to them, read out loud to them, meditate with them, and do any healing that we need to allow them to settle in, get used to us, and feel safe. Once they are done with quarantine, we partner them with other animals and continue their emotional and physical healing with acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic, energy healing, and nutritional supplements like Sun Chlorella, Jill and Joan CBD, and Puremedy healing salve. Feeling better physically, being fed on time each day, seeing our love for the other animals, and giving them as much time as they need, help them learn to trust us and see that people can be good and the world can be kind.

VW: Among the many stories of resilience and learning to love and trust humans, if you had to pick just one, whose story of healing impacted you the most?

EL: We have so many remarkable stories, but I think the story of the St. Louis Six in Missouri stands out because they were literally inside a slaughterhouse and chose to live. Once At The Gentle Barn, they went through a long recovery process to learn to forgive the past and trust us. Eventually, they let their pasts go and not only trusted us, but now allow people to brush, pet, and cuddle them, and even host cow hug therapy sessions where they are now healing humans!

VW: Through the years, you’ve worked with these remarkable beings who have come through unthinkable hardships. Given that, how have your views on our relationship with animals changed?

EL: I think animals are the most resilient and remarkable creatures, and I am deeply honored to know them. Animals have always been my best teachers, healers, and friends. I have always loved them, but they have all shown me that we are all the same, though we look different. They are far more intelligent, intuitive, and wise than most realize. They have shown me that we are alike in every way that truly matters, with the same ability for happiness, sadness, fear, love, and the desire to live a life free from harm. Over the last 23 years at The Gentle Barn, it has become crystal clear that animals have the same capacity to love, the same want for friendship and love, and the same desire to raise their babies. They enjoy and hold dear the same things we do.

VW: What kinds of programs does Gentle Barn offer so members of the public can learn, grow, and connect with the “personhood” of the residents?

EL: The Gentle Barn is open to the public on Sundays, so people can hug the cows, cuddle the turkeys, hold the chickens, give the pigs tummy rubs, and hear the animals’ stories of resilience. During the week, we host private tours, school field trips, and cow hug therapy sessions where people can learn, heal, and find hope.

VW: Why was it important to you to offer programs for children and those less fortunate or privileged than others? Do you ever face criticism that you are still “using animals”? If so, how do you respond to that?

EL: The Gentle Barn is not about healing animals versus humans, it is about a circle of healing where we are all connected, and we are healing each other. We save animals, heal them, and if and when they are ready, we partner with them to heal people. In turn, the people are kinder to animals. The animals are never expected to do anything at The Gentle Barn except live their very best lives. But what I find is that the animals want to help heal others. The cows are not taught to give out hugs, they want to, and they bring profound hope to people. The turkeys are not trained to cuddle, they choose to, and they bring people to tears. Once the animal is healed, they either choose on their own to give love to people, or they don’t, and either way is ok with us. If anyone says that we are using animals for something, I will say they are right. We are working alongside our animal ambassadors to share their stories and create interactions that open hearts and change minds about animals and how we treat them in our society. But I would also say that I believe that the animals are as upset about the state of the world as we are, and the animals are just as passionate about this cause as we are. Just as I am destined to do this work, I believe that each one of our animal ambassadors is called to The Gentle Barn for a reason. Some are called to transition in our arms with dignity, some are brought here to heal and be set free, and others are called here to be ambassadors and change the hearts of humanity alongside us.

And if they are saying that the animals are not choosing to do this work, they clearly have never been to The Gentle Barn, where the love and dedication between human and animal is palpable!

VW: That was so beautifully said! Going off of that, do you feel these experiences with the animal ambassadors can change the way society connects with animals and vice versa?

EL: Yes! We have a huge rate of helping guests evolve to veganism. People can learn all about the environment, animals, and their own health, but the minute they can look into the eyes of the animals at The Gentle Barn, hug, hold, and interact with them, and have that personal heart connection with them. That’s when it all makes sense, and they are called towards a greater empathy.

VW: We’d love to hear your perspective on the efficacy of sanctuaries in the animal advocacy movement. VW: What has the feedback from guests been like? Especially regarding their views on animals used in various exploitative industries for human consumption.

EL: At The Gentle Barn, we meet people where they are at, have great compassion for them, and share our message very gently. This approach helps our guests be less defensive and more open. It also helps The

Gentle Barn seem more inclusive, inviting, and safe for everyone. This, in turn, helps The Gentle Barn be a beloved steward for animals in the community. In fact, we get about 1,000 people visiting each week, spanning all 3 locations!

EL: Sanctuaries play a vital part in the animal advocacy movement—not only because they are saving the animals’ lives, but more importantly, they are telling their stories, raising awareness within the community, and offering people the unique personal, intimate interaction, rooted in respect and kindness, that changes a person forever.

VW: How do you distinguish yourselves in the eye of the public as not offering a “petting zoo” experience?

EL: We invite people to interact with animals respectfully. They may hug the cows, cuddle the turkeys, hold the chickens, and pet the sheep and goats while learning about the animals’ stories of resilience in a way they have never had before. We don’t mind if people come in expecting a petting zoo experience because once they are here, they get to hear the animals’ stories, fall in love with them, eat a delicious vegan meal, and have their hearts opened wide. They are also told that an animal might not want to be pet or held and emphasize the importance of respecting their boundaries. They organically see that, unlike the petting zoo experience, everything we do is about the animals, and they always come first! Every animal resident has a docent who ensures that the resident is approached on their terms. Guests learn about body language, how the animals communicate, and that animals are not here to serve us. Rather, they are here to live their own best lives, and it is our job to respect and honor their wishes.

VW: Thinking ahead into the future where we learn to coexist in peace with our fellow creatures and critters, do you think farmed animal rescues will still have their place in society? What would a world of this harmonious existence look like to you?

EL: Yes, in the perfect peaceful world that we are working so hard to create, there will still be sanctuaries hopefully in every town because that is where animals who were formerly farmed will live. These sanctuaries will replace factory farms and private working farms. But instead of eating, wearing, and enslaving them, people of this new world will have reverence for all animals and will come regularly to sanctuaries to honor, celebrate and love animals.

VW: We adore the mission and important work you and the Gentle Barn family do. How can our followers support your ventures?

EL: We need help doing the very wonderful work that we are doing. If you can, we would appreciate donations of any amount on our website. Many of our patrons sponsor care for our beloved residents as well. You can also follow us on all social media platforms @thegentlebarn, and of course, visit a Gentle Barn nearest to you!