Doubling as the home to more than 60 animals rescued from abuse - and a center that provides therapeutic animal interaction sessions to youths and adults - the Gentle Barn Foundation has called Canyon Country home since 2003.

Located on Sierra Highway, the 6-acre Gentle Barn facility is the longtime dream, now realized, of co-founder Ellie Laks, who joined forces with partner Jay Weiner to establish the program in August 1999. Though originally located in Tarzana, the duo decided to move the organization to the more spacious Canyon Country facility roughly four years ago.

"It was a great place to start, but we simply grew out of it, so we moved to our 6-acre place with much more room for our groups and animals," Laks said.

Using the wide array of sheep, pigs, cows, dogs and several horses housed on the ranch, all of which were rescued from abusive owners, the Gentle Barn offers a rustic refuge for the various groups it services - abused, at-risk and inner city youths, also special needs kids.

Gentle Barn teaches forgiveness, courage, strength, trust, empathy, kindness and leadership skills through interaction with animals.

"I think (the business name) just incorporates everything that we do," Laks said. "We love to focus on that word because that's what we're trying to teach to the kids, is gentleness."

Offering a program that runs from September to June, last year the Gentle Barn provided service to 25 various Southern California youth groups - with each group visiting the ranch once a month for several hourlong therapy sessions.

During their time at the ranch, visitors bathe and groom the horses and cows, plant vegetable gardens, go on nature hikes, prepare food for and feed the animals, visit with ranch staff and complete small upkeep projects around the facility, while also taking to time to get to know the animals and their backgrounds.

"The first time they come, they come very defensive, very shut down, very unwilling to talk to us or even look at us," said Laks about the visiting groups which may include foster children, former gang members, kids recovering from addiction and kids on probation. "They think that it's a total waste of their time, and they wonder what they're doing there.

"But when we tell them the stories about the animals we have, and the abuse that they've gone through, (the kids) quietly start paying attention. And after about 20 minutes of us talking to them, they soon realize that the animals are a lot like themselves."

Included in the stable of rescued animals that visitors have gotten to know over the years are a quarterhorse named Bonsai, who was burned with a cigar after bucking its owner, Mama Deer, an abused thoroughbred rescued from a race track, and Bandit, a miniature horse rescued from an alcoholic owner.

"She would pet him one day and sock him in the face the next," Weiner said.

Though the first visit to the Gentle Barn provides an opportunity for visiting youths to get a feel for the program and develop a relationship with the animals, observers say the deeper effects of the program can be seen after just a few visits.

"The more often they come, the more vulnerable they get, the more wide open and sweet and gentle they get," Laks said. "The ones with self-esteem issues become very confident and self-assured, and the ones who are a little hyper and callous learn compassion.

"They really transform, especially the guys on probation and in gangs that we work with. It's the sweetest, most miraculous thing to watch," she said.

In addition to hosting youth groups, the Gentle Barn facility is open to the public on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For the requested donation of $5 or more per person - which helps cover the animals' food and veterinary costs - community members can visit the ranch and feed, groom and otherwise interact with the animals.

Those looking for a more personalized experience can also book a private VIP tour for their family or group at a cost of $400.

"They get a nice hands-on experience and they get to learn all the animals' stories," Laks said. "It's a lovely way to spend the day."

For more information about the Gentle Barn visit www.gentlebarn.org or call (661) 252-2440.

Signal Staff Writer Annemarie Donkin contributed to this report.