Healing Kids in Tennessee
Posted on Oct 09, 2015
By Ellie Laks, Founder of The Gentle Barn
This week Jay and I went to Tennessee to start our Peace Enhancement Program, hosting groups of children with special needs. We hosted several groups, the first of which was for two and three-year old foster children with stories as tragic and heart breaking as our rescued animals. These kids have had the absolute worst starts in life and came to The Gentle Barn to be free of their issues and stresses and hoped to just be kids again and have fun. They brushed and hugged the cows, fed carrots to the horses, gave the pigs tummy rubs, splashed in the pigs’ pool, climbed on the tractor, and, practiced motor skills, vocal skills, and confidence all at the same time. The children were brave, gentle, curious, and full of life. I suppose whether animal or human, at The Gentle Barn anyone can leave their painful pasts behind and enjoy being alive.
Sadly because these kids were all wards of the court we could not photograph them, but here are some pictures of the animals who served as incredible hosts.
For more information on our Programs for children who are at risk, from the inner city, or who have special needs, go to www.gentlebarn.org