LOCAL

Therapeutic session at The Gentle Barn

Terri Berkley, the program specialist at The Gentle Barn, lays on Maybell at the facility in Christiana, Tenn., for a Cow Hug Therapy session Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The nonprofit serves as both therapy for humans and a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Terri Berkley, the program specialist at The Gentle Barn, lays on Maybell at the facility in Christiana, Tenn., for a Cow Hug Therapy session Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The nonprofit serves as both therapy for humans and a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean
Ellie Laks is the founder of The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., is photographed with a turkey Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The nonprofit serves as both therapy for humans and a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Ellie Laks is the founder of The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., is photographed with a turkey Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The nonprofit serves as both therapy for humans and a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean
Nicole Downs, a volunteer, spends time with Love, a therapy cow, at The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The nonprofit serves as both therapy for humans and a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Nicole Downs, a volunteer, spends time with Love, a therapy cow, at The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The nonprofit serves as both therapy for humans and a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean
Nicole Downs visits The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., for a Cow Hug Therapy, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The non-profit is a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Nicole Downs visits The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., for a Cow Hug Therapy, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The non-profit is a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean
Ellie Laks, the founder of The Gentle Barn nonprofit, hugs Truth in Christiana, Tenn., for a Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The nonprofit serves as both therapy for humans and a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Ellie Laks, the founder of The Gentle Barn nonprofit, hugs Truth in Christiana, Tenn., for a Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The nonprofit serves as both therapy for humans and a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean
Lolli the goat snacks on popcorn at The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The nonprofit serves as both therapy for humans and a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals. Lolli lost the back of her legs and tips of her ears due to frostbite when she was born in January of 2018.
Lolli the goat snacks on popcorn at The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The nonprofit serves as both therapy for humans and a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals. Lolli lost the back of her legs and tips of her ears due to frostbite when she was born in January of 2018.
Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean
Ellie Lake cuddles next to a cow at The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
Ellie Lake cuddles next to a cow at The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean
Nicole Downs wraps her arm around one of the cows at The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., for a Cow Hug Therapy, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The non-profit is a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Nicole Downs wraps her arm around one of the cows at The Gentle Barn in Christiana, Tenn., for a Cow Hug Therapy, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The non-profit is a rehabilitation farm for abused and neglected animals.
Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean