Ellie Laks

Joining me on the Born To Talk Radio Show Podcast on Monday, April 5th, 1-2 PDT is Ellie Laks.

Ellie Laks.

Ellie is the Founder of The Gentle Barn Foundation, a national nonprofit organization. They rescue and rehabilitates unwanted animals and heals people with the same stories of abuse and neglect. She is a celebrated animal welfare advocate, humane educator, and the author of My Gentle Barn: Creating a Sanctuary Where Animals Heal, and Children Learn to Hope.

The Gentle Barn.

Ellie founded The Gentle Barn in 1999; it was a dream of hers since she was seven years old. Animals were always very healing and nurturing to her as she faced the challenges of growing up, finding herself, fitting in, and feeling understood. She majored in special education and psychology. 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 together. 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 Ellie and Jay moved The Gentle Barn 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. There are lots of shade trees and a panoramic view of gorgeous mountains. Over one hundred and seventy rescued animals are safe and happy at The Gentle Barn.

The Gentle Barn has a second location in Nashville, Tennessee, and a third in St Louis, Missouri. It is their goal to open Gentle Barns in every state so that everyone in America can hug cows, cuddle turkeys, give pigs tummy rubs, and look into the eyes of these animals. Knowing for certain that we are all the same, and deserving of the same rights, respects, and freedoms. Since its inception, The Gentle Barn has saved thousands of animals and been host to over 500,000 people.

By the way, when you visit their website, check out The Gentle Barn Animals. They each have a story to tell.

My Gentle Barn

Creating a Sanctuary Where Animals Heal and Children Learn to Hope.

Speaking of stories. My Gentle Barn does just that. Coupled with her love of animals, Ellie weaves together the story of how the Barn came to be what it is today with Ellie’s own journey. Filled with heartwarming animal stories and inspiring recoveries, My Gentle Barn is a feel-good account that will delight animal lovers and memoir readers alike.

Communication.

By the way, Ellie and I will be talking about animal communication readings. What is that? What types of readings does Ellie do? How has being able to talk to animals changed her life? And, what can animal communication reading do for us? Tune in to find out more.