In this episode of The Plant Trainers Podcast, we talk with Ellie Laks about lessons you can learn from a cow (and chicken) and Cow Hug Therapy. It was amazing to hear that cows partake in many self-care rituals. We found it so interesting to hear about the connection she had with animals from a young age. That led us into exploring the intuition children have and how that changes into adulthood. We explored the state of the world’s ecosystem and what we can do to make this world healthier for future generations.  Ellie Laks is the Founder of The Gentle Barn Foundation, a national organization that rescues and rehabilitates unwanted animals and heals people with the same stories of abuse and neglect. She is a powerful speaker, celebrated animal welfare advocate, humane educator, animal communicator, and the author of “My Gentle Barn: Creating a sanctuary where animals heal and children learn to hope” and has her new book coming out soon, Cow Hug Therapy. Ellie founded The Gentle Barn in 1999. She invented her own “Gentle Healing” method that allows old, sick, injured, and terrified animals to fully recover. Ellie is the creator of cow hug therapy and has hosted hundreds of thousands of people who have come to The Gentle Barn seeking hope. In this episode we discuss:  How Ellie found a vegetarian lifestyle Discovering egg exploitation  Finding the chicken at school  Child vs adult intuition  The world’s ecosystem  3 Actionable steps to helping the planet  Cow hug Therapy  Self care lessons from a cow  Links to things we mentioned: Sign up for our newsletter –  Ellie Laks: , , The Gentle Barn: , : How the Animals at the Gentle Barn Taught Me about Life, Death, and Everything In Between Making The World A Kinder Place with John Oberg – Animal Protection Laws with Camille Labchuk and Jessica Scott-Reid – Bringing Animal Protection Into Schools with Mike Farley –