Gentle Therapy: Tennessee Farm Offers Turkey Cuddles as Stress Relief on Thanksgiving
In the midst of the traditional Thanksgiving feast, one farm just outside Nashville, Tennessee, is offering an unconventional yet therapeutic experience – cuddling with turkeys. The Gentle Barn, founded by Ellie Laks in 1999, has been providing a sanctuary for animals and people alike for over two decades.
Laks' journey began when her husband flew to California to help a cow named Dudley after he lost a foot due to an accident. They helped find him a bovine surgeon and prosthetic foot and brought him back to Tennessee, eventually opening the Gentle Barn in 2015. The farm has since become a haven for over 200 rescue animals, including turkeys, chickens, sheep, cows, and goats.
Visitors to the Gentle Barn can participate in various therapeutic sessions, including turkey cuddling, which has proven to be a game-changer for many people struggling with anxiety and depression. Volunteer Nicole Downs, who had never been on a farm before visiting the Gentle Barn, fell in love with chicken cuddling and later progressed to turkey cuddling. She credits the experience as her go-to grounding space during anxiety attacks.
The farm's 'Gentle Thanksgiving' event, which takes place this Thursday, offers visitors the chance to connect and cuddle with turkeys in a serene atmosphere. Laks hopes that by providing this unique therapy, she can show people that despite our differences, we share commonalities – including unconditional love and gentleness.
As mental health concerns continue to rise globally, The Gentle Barn stands as an oasis of peace and understanding. By embracing the transformative power of animal connection, visitors have the opportunity to rediscover themselves and the world around them.
In the midst of the traditional Thanksgiving feast, one farm just outside Nashville, Tennessee, is offering an unconventional yet therapeutic experience – cuddling with turkeys. The Gentle Barn, founded by Ellie Laks in 1999, has been providing a sanctuary for animals and people alike for over two decades.
Laks' journey began when her husband flew to California to help a cow named Dudley after he lost a foot due to an accident. They helped find him a bovine surgeon and prosthetic foot and brought him back to Tennessee, eventually opening the Gentle Barn in 2015. The farm has since become a haven for over 200 rescue animals, including turkeys, chickens, sheep, cows, and goats.
Visitors to the Gentle Barn can participate in various therapeutic sessions, including turkey cuddling, which has proven to be a game-changer for many people struggling with anxiety and depression. Volunteer Nicole Downs, who had never been on a farm before visiting the Gentle Barn, fell in love with chicken cuddling and later progressed to turkey cuddling. She credits the experience as her go-to grounding space during anxiety attacks.
The farm's 'Gentle Thanksgiving' event, which takes place this Thursday, offers visitors the chance to connect and cuddle with turkeys in a serene atmosphere. Laks hopes that by providing this unique therapy, she can show people that despite our differences, we share commonalities – including unconditional love and gentleness.
As mental health concerns continue to rise globally, The Gentle Barn stands as an oasis of peace and understanding. By embracing the transformative power of animal connection, visitors have the opportunity to rediscover themselves and the world around them.
I think it's really cool that they're offering turkey cuddles as a stress relief thing on Thanksgiving 
. Like, who wouldn't want to spend some quality time with adorable turkeys instead of watching football or fighting with family 
? It's all about finding those little moments of peace and calm in our busy lives 
. And I love how the founder is trying to spread that message of unconditional love and gentleness 
. It's a great reminder that we don't have to be so serious all the time 
.
! Cuddling with turkeys on Thanksgiving is literally the most unique thing I've ever heard. I mean, who needs Black Friday sales when you can get a good cuddle fix with some feathered friends? 
It's amazing that Ellie Laks and her team are providing an actual sanctuary for animals and people alike. Mental health is so important these days, and I think this is just the thing to bring some calm to our crazy lives. Plus, who wouldn't want to experience a little bit of gratitude through some avian snuggles? 
this is sooo cool 
. i love how it's all about finding common ground with animals and just vibing out 
. mental health matters are so important right now, and if something as simple as cuddling a turkey can help people feel better, then more power to The Gentle Barn 
!
. I mean, who wouldn't want to spend their Thanksgiving break snuggling with adorable turkeys? It's amazing how something as simple as animal interaction can be so therapeutic. The Gentle Barn is really onto something here - it's not just about the turkeys, but about creating a sense of community and understanding. Mental health is a big deal right now, and this kind of thing could really make a difference 
I'm not convinced this "turkey cuddling" thing is all it's cracked up to be... I mean, sure, animals can be therapeutic but isn't this just a novelty that some rich people will pay for? What's the real science behind how exactly cuddling turkeys is going to help with anxiety and depression? Where are these studies? 
I'm not buying it until I see some solid research on this one...
. I think it's kinda cool that people are using therapy animals to cope with anxiety and depression, but can we also talk about the logistics of having a bunch of wild birds in a farm setting? 
It's like, my mind is literally torn in two... 
! I mean who wouldn't want to snuggle a turkey on Thanksgiving? 
The Gentle Barn is like a breath of fresh air in a time where everyone's always rushing around. Maybe they should expand this to other farms or cities? That would be amazing! 
! Turkey cuddles on Thanksgiving? genius! like who needs a tryptophan coma when you can have turkey snuggles lol. seriously though, mental health is super important and if animals can help us chill out, then count me in 
