My Gentle Barn

The incredible true story of a place where animals heal and children learn to hope When I started The Gentle Barn, some viewed it as a hobby or an obsession, some as an act of selfless devotion. To all of those people, I want to say, You don t understand. I m not saving the animals; they re saving me.' Ellie Laks was just seven years old when she was abused by her childminder. Through the troubled years that followed, animals were her salvation. Through near bankruptcy and a devastating fire, Ellie's dedication has not diminished. But it wasn't until she opened up the Barn to at-risk children and children with special needs that she realised how her animals could teach lessons in forgiveness and healing to others. This is a truly inspirational memoir, full of heartbreaking stories of hope and healing.