My Gentle Barn
My Gentle Barn is a story of starting a sanctuary, but it is much more than that as well. It is a love story, it is a story of finding myself, and living my dream. It is full of inspiration and will make people laugh and cry. It starts in my childhood and explains why animals mean so much to me and why I have sacrificed everything to have The Gentle Barn to help animals. It is an adventure and takes the reader through the many trials and obstacles I have had to overcome to start and maintain my dream. But it is not just my story, it is the tale of all the animals along the way who have saved my life and taught me everything I know. My Gentle Barn will delight animal lovers, romantics, memoir lovers, and anyone who has had a dream!
Please tell us about founding the barn in 1999.
The Gentle Barn was my dream since I was 7 but it took me a long time to realize it. In 1999 I found many sick animals at an abusive petting zoo and started taking them home to my small housed and half acre back yard. After healing them all I looked out my window to a backyard full of animals that I had saved and realized that I had just started The Gentle Barn. The much longer version of that is in the book.
Why had it been a dream of yours since you were 7 years old?
I was lonely and awkward when I was a child and animals were my only friends, teachers, witnesses and healers. They saved my life and showed me that I was loveable. When I would find animals in need of help when I was a child I would take them home and they were always sent away. I was told that when I grew up I could have as many animals as I wanted, so I now have 170 animals. I would tell my parents that when I grew up I would have a huge place full of animals and that I would show the world how beautiful they were.
How has your major in psychology and special education brought your dream together?
I was born obsessed with animals, but with my schooling I was able to intern and work with special needs kids and I loved it! It showed me how much these children need help, how they are so often misunderstood and shut down, and how animals could really help them!
Why were animals your salvation after your abuse?
The adults in my life were not listening or seeing me at all and I often felt invisible. But the animals in my life saw me quite clearly and listened to me, loved me as I was, and showed me that I was OK. They always made me feel better and showed me that there was hope. They were my witnesses and my healers.
How can animals teach lessons of forgiveness and healing?
Animals give us something that is rare to find with other humans; unconditional love. They love us no matter who we are, no matter what we do, and no matter how we treat them. They love us completely and that is so very healing to know that we are good the way we are. They teach us to be that loving to others by example. There have been so many studies that have shown that just to be near an animal lowers blood pressure and helps depression, they are so healing. Whenever I am having a bad day I go hug my cows or cuddle the turkeys and feel much better right away.
Please tell us about your following and how important they are to you.
The best part of writing my book, My Gentle Barn is the connections I have made with people all over the world. Their support and their encouragement means the world to me. We have visitors from all over the world who come to The Gentle Barn on Sundays and hug me when they meet me and I always feel like I am meeting family. I can only do this work and live my dream because of the people who follow us and support us and enable us to do it. I am grateful every day for our fans!
How does it feel to have celebrity interest in The Gentle Barn?
It is very validating to have celebrity support for The Gentle Barn. They have such a far reach and when they talk about us and share their support it helps spread our message. We are grateful for their support!
What is next for you?
Opening Gentle Barns all over the world and writing more books! I want every person in the world to hug a cow, cuddle a turkey, give a pig a tummy rub, learn that we are all the same, we just look different and we can be closer to having peace on earth.