Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita, Calif., is filled with cows, pigs, goats and people, all of whom are all going through the healing process after difficult times. As The New York Times reports, the animals have sought refuge at the barn after living in abusive situations; the people come to Gentle Barn as a way to get past issues such as depression, eating disorders or other emotional troubles. The symbiotic relationship between human and animal helps them get through this dark time together.
Gentle Barn founder Ellie Weiner knows this from experience. She said loving and caring for wounded animals she brought home helped her get past hardships growing up.
“The animals saved me and healed me,” Weiner said. “If they could do that for me, then they could do it for others.”
Read the rest of The New York Times article
Heather Rudow is a staff writer for Counseling Today. Email her at hrudow@counseling.org.