324: How Animals Can Heal Us with Ellie Laks

I AM HUMAN

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.

About Ellie Laks: Ellie 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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Resources:

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Ellielaks.com

Gentlebarn.org

Ellie's IG

The Gentle Barn IG

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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The I AM HUMAN podcast explores topics such as plant-based nutrition, lifestyle medicine, personal development, and spirituality to promote health, well-being, longevity, and joy and help you craft your best life yet. Subscribe today, and send your feedback to [e-mail]

Dr. Yami is a board-certified pediatrician, certified lifestyle medicine physician, national board-certified health and wellness coach, author and international speaker. She is a passionate promoter of healthy lifestyles, especially the power of plant-based diets for the prevention of chronic disease. She hosts the popular podcast I AM HUMAN (formerly Veggie Doctor Radio) which boasts listeners from 98 countries and more than a million downloads to date. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, has a certificate in plant-based nutrition and is a certified Food for Life Instructor. Dr. Yami owns Nourish Wellness, a pediatric practice in Yakima, Washington where she lives with her husband and two sons. Her book is called “A Parent’s Guide to Intuitive Eating: How to Raise Kids Who Love to Eat Healthy”. You can learn more about Dr. Yami at DoctorYami.com.

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