A Wonderful Year

 Another healing year at The Gentle Barn has come to a close and as we look back at all the children we hosted, we also look forward to another great year starting up again in a few months. Our Peace Enhancement Program runs from September through June and is host to children from Foster agencies, probation camps, inner city schools, drug and alcohol rehab centers, and special needs classes. This ten-month program is designed to work with kids who are too angry or shut down to respond to traditional therapy. Instead of them talking about their feelings or experiences, we do the talking about our rescued animals. While we are telling an animal’s story, we are also telling the story of the kids who visit. Through hearing their own story be told, they realize that they are not alone, that someone else understands their pain, and are then inspired by the animals that they can heal and find happiness as well. Each time the kids come out to The Gentle Barn they hold small animals to practice empathy, walk beside large animals to practice leadership skills, do projects on the ranch to feel useful, heal newly rescued animals to feel valued, plant vegetables to connect with nature, walk in the countryside and talk about resilience, and always cultivate self-awareness and hope for the future.
Next year we look forward to rescuing even more animals, healing even more children, and opening even more hearts to the affection, intelligence, personalities, and magic of animals! Come hug cows, cuddle turkeys, give pigs tummy rubs, and hear the animals’ stories of resilience at The Gentle Barn each Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or during the week for private tours, school field trips, or birthday parties. See you there!
The Gentle Barn is a place of recovery where both animals and humans are reminded that they matter. You’ll find more information at www.gentlebarn.org come visit us or sponsor an animal today!