Creating Worlds Inside Our Minds
When I was a child, all I dreamed about was to have a huge place full of animals and show the world how beautiful they are. I would sit at my desk, and as the teacher droned on in…
Inspiring Kindness and Compassion towards Animals, Our Planet, and Each Other
The Most Important Vote
This week Jay and I flew home from Missouri to California. I love sitting by the window on the plane and looking at the buildings and land below fade smaller and smaller until we are consumed by clouds and…
Witness
They played for the first time! Bouncing, leaping, wrestling, running, tussling with each other, they didn’t mind us standing there and they had no fears. Their…
Nineteen Years
We have been so focused on our opening in Nashville that I haven’t even talked about our anniversary coming up. On August 26th there will…
The Ups and Downs
When I dreamed of The Gentle Barn at seven years old, I didn't picture it quite the way it is today. My declaration was that I would have a big place full of animals and I would show the world how beautiful they are. I had no idea that The Gentle Barn would be this big, that I would…
Ridiculous
I’ve always loved animals and had an acute sensitivity to all life. That openness was always met with, "Oh Ellie, don't be ridiculous, it's just a bird", or "stop your nonsense I'll get you another rabbit.” You would think that with all the criticism…
The Inside Scoop: Ally Hanshaw
It's Never Too Late for a Second Chance
Everyone will reach a moment in their lives when they feel like they are completely alone and they want to give up on everything. But just because you feel this way…
My Life as a Momma Hen, Week Three
I’m thinking that all moms can attest to this - babies don’t always go to sleep when we want them to, and Jasmine is no exception. Chickens are supposed to go to sleep at dusk and wake at dawn. In preparation for Jasmine to transition to the barnyard when she is old enough, I am trying…
My Gentle Barn, Creating a Sanctuary Where Animals Heal and Children Learn to Hope:
This was Ellie and her dog Simon, who was Ellie's best friend when she was a kid. They used to muck around in the lakes and watch the tadpoles turn into frogs each spring. They would walk through the woods and find salamanders and bunny rabbits and watch bats fly…
Happy Birthday Ellie Laks and Ellen DeGeneres
It seems like no coincidence that these two women have their birthdays on the same day! Please join me in wishing our Founder Ellie Laks and Ellen Degeneres a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY. We are so grateful to Ellen and The…
Upcoming Events
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Thermal Horizon - Windsong Retreat (Spring 2024)
May 4th 2024 - The Gentle Barn California
Let’s come together as a community as we support The Gentle Barn in their endeavor to enrich the lives of abused animals worldwide. Let’s bring our loving hearts, the spirit of opportunity and fill our cups emotionally, spiritually, and physically as we celebrate unity in community by helping these wonderful support animals.
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Chakra Meditation and Sound Healing (Spring 2024)
May 18th 2024 - The Gentle Barn California
Clear, Balance and Align your 7 main Chakras through guided meditation, chanting, and Integrative sound bath. When your chakras are aligned, the energy moves through you more freely, and you can feel in harmony with all aspects of your physical, emotional and spiritual self.
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Open Sunday in Missouri
We are excited to be open to the public again on Sunday, at The Gentle Barn: Missouri.
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Open Sunday in California
We are excited to be open to the public again on Sunday, at The Gentle Barn: California.
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Open Sunday in Tennessee
We are excited to be open to the public again on Sunday, at The Gentle Barn: Tennessee.