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Food Heals

425: Animals Heal: Cow Hug Therapy, Overcoming Trauma, Finding Forgiveness, and Eating the Rainbow with The Gentle Barns' Ellie Laks

Food Heals

Allison Melody

Spirituality, Naturalcures, Vegan, Nutrition, Fitness, Detox, Veganism, Alternativemedicine, Health, Health & Fitness, Juicing

4.8635 Ratings

🗓️ 31 May 2023

⏱️ 75 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In a world filled with stories of cruelty and neglect, Ellie Laks stands as a beacon of hope and compassion. As the Founder of The Gentle Barn Foundation, Ellie has dedicated her life to rescuing and rehabilitating unwanted animals, while also providing a sanctuary for individuals with similar experiences of abuse and neglect. Her tireless efforts have earned her the reputation of being a celebrated animal welfare advocate, an animal communicator, a powerful speaker, and a renowned author.


Ellie Laks established The Gentle Barn in 1999, and it went on to transform the lives of both animals and humans alike. But it wasn't just about rescue and rehabilitation for Ellie. She developed her own unique "Gentle Healing method," a holistic approach that blends Western medicine, alternative healing modalities, holding therapy, and an abundance of love. Through this method, old, sick, injured, and terrified animals find a safe haven at The Gentle Barn, where they are given the opportunity to heal and thrive once again.


One of Ellie's most remarkable contributions to the world of animal therapy is her invention of Cow Hug Therapy. By inviting visitors to embrace the gentle giants of the barn, Ellie allows for a profound connection between humans and animals. This groundbreaking therapy has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people who have sought solace and hope at The Gentle Barn.


Ellie's impact has reached far and wide, as she has appeared on some of the most influential media outlets, including The Ellen Show, People Magazine, Animal Planet, and The Today Show, to name just a few. Her powerful voice and unwavering commitment to animal welfare have garnered attention and support from audiences all over the world. As a TEDx speaker and keynote speaker, Ellie motivates and inspires her listeners, urging them to embrace higher awareness, profound compassion, the pursuit of dreams, and a sense of purpose that extends beyond themselves.


With a heart full of love and an unwavering determination, Ellie has saved thousands of animals and welcomed over 500,000 guests to The Gentle Barn. Currently home to approximately 200 animals, The Gentle Barn has expanded its reach across three locations in Los Angeles, California, Nashville, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri. Ellie's ultimate goal is to be the unwavering voice for animals, sharing their stories and opening the hearts of humanity to the plight of all living beings. She firmly believes in the power of teaching kindness and compassion to animals, each other, and our planet.


To learn more about Ellie and The Gentle Barn Foundation, please visit www.gentlebarn.org and www.ellielaks.com.


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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

You're listening to the Food Heels podcast.

0:08.1

Warning, side effects of this podcast may include increased health and vitality, thoughts of living longer, developing a more positive outlook on life, an increase in sexual activity, feelings of joy, cravings for kale and keelaw, and a spike in Tinder matches.

0:18.8

In rare cases, people have experienced a strong desire to put down

0:21.2

the Ben and juries, get off the couch, and take a walk outside. If you experience any of these

0:24.6

symptoms, tell your Facebook friends immediately. All right, welcome Food Heels Nation. Thanks for

0:30.6

joining me. I'm Allison Melody. What if there was a way to allow old, sick, injured,

0:36.7

and terrified animals to fully recover

0:39.3

using a mixture of Western medicine, holistic healing modalities, holding therapy, and lots

0:45.7

of love?

0:46.4

That's what today's guest invented with her gentle healing method.

0:52.0

That's right, it's Ellie Laxacks the founder of the Gentle Barn Foundation.

0:56.8

Ellie founded the Gentle Barn in 1999 and it is currently home to about 200 animals. It's got three

1:04.5

locations in Los Angeles, Nashville and St. Louis. And yes, I am going to the Nashville one

1:10.4

next weekend. So I will report back.

1:14.6

It is LA's goal to be the voice for animals, share their stories, and open the hearts of humanity

1:19.2

towards all living beings. And our goal is to teach people kindness and compassion to animals,

1:26.0

each other, and our planet. Roll it, Roxy.

1:30.1

The Food Hills podcast starts now. She is the founder of the Gentle Barn Foundation.

1:38.3

Please welcome Ellie Lacks to the show. Welcome, Ellie. Oh, thank you so much for having me.

1:43.8

I'm so glad to have you. We've already

1:45.3

had a great pre-chat, so I know this is going to be an amazing conversation with two like-minded souls.

1:51.0

So your book is called My Gentle Barn, Creating a Sanctuary where Animals Heal and Children Learn to Hope.

...

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