After nine years of neglect and a severe heart condition, Milo has shown us all that a little love and compassion can go a long way. He is now happy and healthy at his new home, The Gentle Barn. Milo’s story is inspirational and indeed, miraculous. Even more inspiring, is the woman responsible for saving his life.

Milo was rescued a few months ago. He had spent his entire life confined in a backyard, alone, with nothing and no one to play with. Old and sick, no one would take him and his family was going to have him destroyed. Luckily, The Gentle Barn found out about Milo, took him home and, consequently, saved his life. Because of his nine-year period of neglect, Milo was shy and scared at first. He had never been loved by anyone before. It was debatable whether or not he would survive as he was so sick. At first, he didn’t eat and didn’t play.

The Gentle Barn

Ellie Laks, founder of The Gentle Barn, tells OGP, “The Gentle Barn takes in animals no one else wants. Most rescues take in the young, healthy, adoptable, socialized animals. But The Gentle Barn takes in animals the other rescues won’t take.”

This is exactly what they did with Milo. He was examined by a cardiologist, prescribed medication, and The Gentle Barn treated him with Chinese herbs and acupuncture to heal him. Milo was also fed Sun Chlorella Super Food to boost his immune system.

The Gentle Barn

Now, he knows he is loved, and he is happy, healthy and very much wanted! Milo loves playing outside with his toys, socializing with other dogs, and cuddling under the bed covers. He even has a girlfriend! He will stay at The Gentle Barn until he is ready to move on.

The Gentle Barn

This rescue story is just one of many from The Gentle Barn.

“We have 170 animals including horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, llamas, dogs, cats, parrots, a donkey, and a peacock,” Laks says.

The Gentle Barn is a safe haven for animals and for children, too. It’s a place where animals and children can heal each other. Laks proves that dreams can come true.

The Gentle Barn

“It was my dream since I was seven years old. Animals loved me and healed me and saved me when I was a kid in my lonely childhood so I always wanted to return the favor and have a place full of animals and show the world how beautiful they are,” she says.

Instead of traditional therapy for troubled children, The Gentle Barn talks indirectly to the child, through the story of a troubled animal who has also undergone a painful experience as a child.

As Laks says, “Through the stories and interactions with the animals, the kids feel less alone, gain unconditional love, and are inspired to heal, forgive and learn to trust life again.”

The Gentle Barn/Facebook

Every single day, animals are suffering all over the world, mainly due to our greed. Laks is an inspiration to all of us for her amazing work and it is clear that the results are equally as astounding. The Gentle Barn also has a growing number of celebrity supporters who visit the barn.

“We have been very blessed to have many celebrities come visit us and Support us. Ellen Degeneres and her wife Portia De Rossi have been so kind to us and many others,” says Laks.

While The Gentle Barn is becoming a household name across the U.S., we simply don’t hear enough about the inspiring woman behind this ingenious, compassionate creation. Laks is an example to us all that helping others makes a huge difference to our lives.

She says, “It is my dream, it has fulfilled me and given me purpose like nothing else. I want to help the world evolve to be kinder to ourselves, to animals and to the planet and The Gentle Barn has allowed me to touch thousands of animals who had nowhere else to go and thousands of children who no one knew what to do with. I believe everyone deserves a chance!”

To Support Gentle Barn’s work, considering donating or sponsoring. More information can be found on the sanctuary’s website and Facebook page.

Lead image source: The Gentle Barn/Facebook