Inspiring Kindness and Compassion towards Animals, Our Planet, and Each Other
Inspiring Kindness and Compassion towards Animals, Our Planet, and Each Other

Visit The Gentle Barn - Missouri

Come Visit Us on a Sunday!

You will get to meet the St. Louis Six (watch video of their rescue). These cows escaped a slaughterhouse and ran through the streets of St. Louis on March 30, 2017, trying to find their way home. They now have a forever home at The Gentle Barn - Missouri along with dozens of other animals. Animals like Petunia the pig who was found running on the side of the road; Baron Von Goat who lived in neglect at a place that didn’t want him chained to a post.

Come out to visit them on a Sunday along with many other pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys, donkeys, goats, sheep and a duck are forever safe and learning to love again.

Volunteer Opportunities

If you would like more information about volunteering, click here.

Annual Sunday Passes Available

We have passes for individuals, families and their guests, starting at just $75. A donation towards a Annual Sunday Passes can be placed online or you may upgrade your already reserved ticket when visiting on Sunday.

Open To Public Sundays

Tickets must be reserved in advance

Reserve Sunday Tickets

Donation: Adults $20, Kids (2-12y) $10, Under 2y Free

Timed Entry: 10:00a-12:00p, 11:00a-1:00p, 12:00p-2:00p

  • Times are all CENTRAL times.

Please note that tickets are non-refundable.

The barn is located in Dittmer, Missouri. Additional information about barn location will be provided with your reservation.


Out of respect for the animals, we kindly ask that you do not bring any dairy, egg, meat, poultry, or seafood onto the property. The Gentle Barn is an outdoor farm environment, therefore we strongly recommend all visiting guests wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, a hat, and plenty of sunscreen. Be sure to bring plenty of water for your group!


Regarding Financial Hardships for Sunday Visits

If you are unable to afford the requested donation amount, please contact us.


Private Tours, Groups & Parties

Hosted during the week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday
(Not available during public open Sunday)


Are Your Looking For Animal Therapy?

See Our Programs Page

Family Tour

In this tour you’ll have the barnyard to yourself and with the help of your tour guide, you’ll brush cows, meet the horses and donkeys, cuddle turkeys, hold chickens, pet goats, and sheep, give pigs tummy rubs, and so much more. Being at The Gentle Barn is like walking through a giant storybook where you’ll hear the animals’ stories of resilience and learn what they teach us about forgiveness, unconditional love, and living in the moment. You are sure to fall in love with animals more deeply than ever before.

  • Donation: $400
  • 1 - 10 guests (1 - 2 households)
    • This is intended to be in intimate experience for a small group of close friends/family.
    • For a mixed group of unrelated guests, please consider a Private Party Tour.
  • 2-hour sessions held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
  • Time slots: 10a-12p or 2p-4p



Group Tour

This tour follows the same format and description of the Family Tour but is intended for a larger group of adults only from mixed households as part of an organized group activity. This tour is perfect for a company team building activity.

  • Donation: $500
  • 11 - 20 guests (Mixed households, Adults Only)
    • This is intended to be in intimate experience for a small group of organized adults only. This is ideal for company team building.
  • 2-hour sessions held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
  • Time slots: 10a-12p or 2p-4p
 

Party Tour

Try something new and different, have your next party at The Gentle Barn. Not just for kids, our parties are great for ages 6 to adult! Listen to an engaging presentation about the animals, then hug the cows, meet the horses and donkeys, give the pigs tummy rubs, hold the chickens, cuddle the turkeys, pat the goats and sheep, and so much more. Once you and your party have worked up an appetite loving animals, have a meal and cake on our picnic tables. Out of respect for the animals, we ask that your meal and cake be vegan. Our staff are happy to give you recommendations if needed.

  • Donation: $600 (minimum commitment for up to 20 kids & adults)
  • 11 or more guests of mixed households
  • $30/person over intial 20 people
  • Maximum of 30 people total
  • 3-hour sessions held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
  • All guests 2 years of age and older count toward the total number.
  • Children under 2 years of age do not require additional donations.
  • Celebration must be for 6 years or older.
  • Time slots: 10a-1p or 1p-4p
 

All-Day Tour

You’ll have the barnyard to yourself as your guide you will get insight and stories of the barnyard that can only be told the best by them. You’ll brush cows, meet the horses and donkeys, cuddle turkeys, hold chickens, pet goats, and sheep, give pigs tummy rubs, and so much more. Being at The Gentle Barn is like walking through a giant storybook where you’ll hear the animals’ stories of resilience and learn what they teach us about forgiveness, unconditional love, and living in the moment. You are sure to fall in love with animals more deeply than ever before.

  • Donation: $1000
  • 1 - 5 guests (Only 1 household, ages 14+, allowed)
  • 6 hour session Days and availability are limited
  • Vegan Lunch Included: Enjoy a delicious vegan lunch on us!
  • (CA ONLY): Tour both our Main property and Healing Center property
  • Time slot: 10a-4p
 

All-Day Founder Tour

You’ll have the barnyard to yourself as the founder of The Gentle Barn, Ellie Laks gives insight and stories of the barnyard that can only be told the best by them. You’ll brush cows, meet horses and donkeys, cuddle turkeys, hold chickens, pet goats, and sheep, give pigs tummy rubs, and so much more. Being at The Gentle Barn is like walking through a giant storybook where you’ll hear the animals’ stories of resilience and learn what they teach us about forgiveness, unconditional love, and living in the moment. You are sure to fall in love with animals more deeply than ever before.

  • Donation: $2000
  • Guided tour by The Gentle Barn Founder, Ellie Laks
  • 1 - 5 guests (1 household only)
  • 6 hour session Days and availability are very limited
  • Vegan Lunch Included: Enjoy a delicious vegan lunch on us!
  • (CA ONLY): Tour both our Main property and Healing Center property
  • Time slot: 10a-4p

Reservation for our Founder's Tour is handled offline.

Contact us to communicate your interest and reserve a time
 

Field Trip

Animals have so much to teach, and nature is a perfect classroom to educate children about themselves and the world around them. While brushing cows, meeting horses and donkeys, cuddling turkeys, holding chickens, petting goats and sheep, giving pigs tummy rubs, and hearing the animals’ stories of resilience, children in grades k-12 will learn about body language, compassion, confidence, tolerance, and find themselves in the barnyard. We will explore what animals eat, how they play, where they sleep, and the many different ways animals use to communicate. All field trips start with a short presentation about the animals, ending with making wishes at our wishing well, and are geared to empower kids to be heroes in their own neighborhoods for animals, nature, and other people.

  • Donation: $400 (minimum commitment of 20 kids & adults)
  • $20/person over intial 20 people
  • Maximum of 30 kids (1 classroom)
  • Maximum of 5 adults
  • All guests 2 years of age and older count toward the total number.
  • Children under 2 years of age do not require additional donations.
  • 2-hour sessions held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
  • Time slots: 10a-12p or 2p-4p


Special Events

Looking to have a group of 50 or more people? We’d love to have you no matter what event you have in mind. We host weddings, bar and bat mitzvas, and corporate functions. Our wide-open spaces dotted with trees, barns, and loving animals make our location the perfect outdoor, peaceful experience for any event to be remembered.

Special Event Currently Being Booked By email. Please contact us directly with questions.