Christiana, Tennessee– At the beginning, busy A week off After hours of travel, Jordan Golota went to a place that gave her comfort and a sense of peace. At The Gentle Barn, an animal rescue organization in Tennessee that offers animal-based therapy, she can brush a friendly cow or scratch and kiss fluffy white sheep.
This time, she cradled a blind turkey in her arms, and after a few minutes, Smudge, the brown-feathered bird, closed her eyes and fell asleep in Golota’s arms.
“God, you feel so warm,” Golota whispered softly.
At this time of year, Turkeys Birds may get all the attention at the dining room table, but The Gentle Barn founder Eli Lax said birds can be great cuddle buddies.
“The world is beginning to realize that dogs, cats and horses have therapeutic value to them,” Lacks said. “So at The Gentle Barn, we think: Why not have turkeys?”
Lax said the idea to include turkeys in therapy sessions with people came to her years ago when a chattering bird followed her around the farm while she did chores.
When she sat at eye level with the large, feathered bird and encouraged the hen into her arms, she found that this was what the turkey wanted.
The 60 animals on the Tennessee farm were rescued from poor living conditions or abuse, and many have injuries or are of an age that requires special care. One of the turkeys receives acupuncture to treat hip pain and difficulty walking. One of the goats lost her hind hooves due to hypothermia and moves in a customized wheelchair.
“We rehabilitate them, give them sanctuary, and then when they’re ready, we partner with them to treat people with the same stories of trauma and connect people to the love and magic of animals,” Lax said.
Turkeys are often misunderstood as stupid and unaffectionate when in fact, they are very intelligent and can give people comfort and individual attention, Lacks said.
Gulotta, who studies animal science at nearby Middle Tennessee State University, said she’s been to a Tennessee farm before to meet cows, her favorite animal there, but a turkey cuddle session wasn’t on her list of things to try at first.
But she realized she could learn more about turkeys and their temperaments if she got a little closer.
“Turkeys have their own way of loving, and it is different from other roosters,” Golota said.
Turkey therapy programs continue throughout the year, but The Gentle Barn, also located in California, also offers a holiday session on Thanksgiving where people can feed and raise turkeys as an alternative way to celebrate. People can also sponsor one of the rescued turkeys to help cover the costs of their care.