#324: How Animals Can Heal Us with Ellie Laks
“We are kind of like leaves blowing in the wind. We're just kind of frenzied and all over the place and it's not intentional.But when we can make time to really sit in the stillness, be centered, be grounded, connect, be open, be receptive to downloads from our spirit, from angels and guides, that's where we receive information. That's where we grow our intuition, that's where we connect. And if we can do that, then everything else the rest of the day is intentional, it's on purpose, it's coming from your higher self, it's coming from that intuition, it's coming from that openness.” –Ellie Laks
In this episode of I AM HUMAN, we hear beautiful stories about the animals at The Gentle Barn with founder and animal communicator Ellie Laks. She tells us what she has learned about death and the afterlife from her animals. We learn how animals can teach us to live more grounded and compassionate lives. Ellie also gives us tips to how to communicate better with our pets.
Discover how animals who have experienced trauma themselves become empathetic companions, fostering emotional healing and encouraging visitors to reconsider their relationship with animals. We also highlight the transformative journeys of the animal ambassadors at the Gentle Barn, and the symbolic significance of the wishing well at each location. Additionally, Ellie shares touching anecdotes of animals' intuitive understanding and responses to human emotions, such as a thoroughbred horse who comforted teenagers in need. We reflect on the lessons of hope and resilience learned from animals, the emotional bonds they form, and the importance of self-care inspired by their natural meditative practices. This episode is a celebration of the extraordinary relationships between humans and animals and the mutual healing that occurs through compassion and connection.
Ellie Laks is the visionary Founder of The Gentle Barn Foundation, established in 1999, renowned for its national efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating neglected animals while fostering healing among humans who share stories of grief, depression, sadness and abuse. A celebrated advocate for animal welfare, Ellie is an accomplished author of "My Gentle Barn" and "Cow Hug Therapy," detailing her experiences and insights. She is also recognized for pioneering the "Gentle Healing" method, enabling animals to recover from trauma. Through her creation of cow hug therapy, Ellie has welcomed countless visitors to The Gentle Barn, offering hope and compassion to all who seek it.
Discussion points:
(00:00) Ellie Laks intro and background
(07:12) What happens at The Gentle Barn - with people and the animals
(09:00) How are the animals assessed as “ready/willing to help”?
(14:04) The wishing well on every Gentle Barn property
(20:10) Cow’s and their meditation
(22:52) The practice of meditation in your life: Intention and openness
(27:26) Buddha the cow, her passing, and her effect on Ellie
(36:07) The story of Lucy and Ferdinand, Gus and Sun, Hero and Cherokee
(43:40) Socks the dog and her “bucket list” before passing
(52:39) Can animals understand our words? Messages from animals
(57:17) Closing questions, what we wish people knew
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Ellie Laks
Founder of The Gentle Barn Foundation
Ellie Laks is the Founder of The Gentle Barn Foundation, a national organization that rescues and rehabilitates unwanted animals and heals people with the same stories of abuse and neglect. Ellie is a powerful speaker, celebrated animal welfare advocate, humane educator, animal communicator, and the author of “My Gentle Barn: Creating a sanctuary where animals heal and children learn to hope,” and “Cow Hug Therapy: How the animals at The Gentle Barn taught me about life, death, and everything in between.” Ellie founded The Gentle Barn in 1999. She invented her own “Gentle Healing” method that allows old, sick, injured, and terrified animals to fully recover. Ellie is the creator of cow hug therapy and has hosted hundreds of thousands of people who have come to The Gentle Barn seeking hope.
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Episode Resources:
Ellielaks.com
Book: Cow Hug Therapy by Ellie Laks: https://amzn.to/3XRpFzB
Book: My Gentle Barn by Ellie Laks: https://amzn.to/3Wgh5Jm
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