Cow Hug Therapy: How the Animals at the Gentle Barn Taught Me about Life, Death, and Everything in Between

The inspirational story of the compassionate and wise animals of the Gentle Barn and how they became a therapeutic salve for countless guests -- and mentors for all of us in how to live and die

In Cow Hug Therapy, Ellie Laks recounts the extraordinary journey that started with her first teacher, Buddha -- not the religious figure, but a rescued miniature Hereford cow. One evening Buddha wrapped her neck around an exhausted and upset Ellie and transferred a singular form of healing and comfort with an incredible impact. Understanding that this was something to be shared with others, Ellie developed Cow Hug Therapy, a groundbreaking approach to emotional healing that has proved effective for trauma, illness, disabilities, addiction, grief, and stress.

This colorful and compelling narrative introduces the healing mavens of the barnyard, each with a unique story of being rescued from trauma and treated with love and respect. In their new role at Ellie’s Gentle Barn sanctuaries, these animals have transformed lives and ignited breakthroughs and newfound purpose for visitors including a young mother who lost her baby, a suicidal teenager, a wounded serviceman, an open-heart-surgery patient, and many more. A testament to empathy and the mission to heal animals, people, and the planet, Cow Hug Therapy serves as a beacon of hope for all seeking healing and connection.

In 1999, Ellie Laks founded the Gentle Barn Foundation with goats and sheep rescued from a neglectful petting zoo. With the help of her husband and cofounder of the Gentle Barn, Jay Weiner, that sanctuary in Santa Clarita, California, rapidly grew to include a variety of animals, including her beloved Cow Hug Therapy cows, and two more Gentle Barns were established in the US. Laks has two decades of experience as a public speaker, with appearances including a TEDx talk, and has given interviews to numerous magazines and newspapers. She has appeared on Good Morning America, TODAY, Ellen, Yahoo News, Verywell Health, and local CBS, NBC, and cable news/culture shows. Laks and Weiner have raised three children in a vegan lifestyle and as advocates for the planet. They travel to all their sanctuaries frequently but call the California location their home.

GentleBarn.org