7 Aug 2014

Parenting: the benefits of children being around animals

From Nine To Noon, 11:28 am on 7 August 2014

Ellie reading to Buttercup

When Ellie Laks was seven she started collecting lost and injured animals, much to the irritation of her parents.

They told her that when she was a grown up she could have as many animals as she wanted – but under their roof, the injured birds, frogs and rabbits had to go.

She had a tantrum, and told her parents "You'll see, when I grow up I'll have a huge place full of animals and I'll show the world how beautiful they are".

And that is exactly what she did.

Ellie with goat and chickens

The Gentle Barn takes in and rehabilitates abused and abandoned animals, then brings in troubled kids and teens to share their healing.

Hear Ellie Laks talk about her animal sanctuary on Nine to Noon with Kathryn Ryan.