Posted on Sep 02, 2016
By Ellie Laks, Founder of The Gentle Barn
As a long time vegan I have always been very interested in animal rights and welfare and of course, like so many of us, my dream is to have my own animal sanctuary one day. Will that ever happen? Who knows... I wouldn't know where to start.
I had known about Gentle Barn for a long time and always wanted to visit. A few years ago I became friends with a fellow vegan who ended up becoming a volunteer herself. It was her who let me know that Gentle Barn was looking for a volunteer photographer. I jumped at the opportunity and I absolutely love coming up to Gentle Barn. I love animals and I love photography! It can't get any better for me! I'm getting to know the individual animals, their personalities, quirks, and I consider them my friends. That's what animals are: Friends, not food. In the ideal world, they are treated as equals and with respect. At Gentle Barn, that's exactly how they are treated and I can see them thrive and learn to trust again. I admire what Ellie and Jay have started, how they help mend broken bodies and souls, both animal and human.
All the people at Gentle Barn, founders, staff and fellow volunteers are wonderful, compassionate people and I am humbled and proud to be able to do my part, hopefully for many years to come.
Susanne
Volunteer
Gentle Barn California