Thanksgiving at the Gentle Barn, turkeys are for snuggling, not stuffing

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“Oh, my goodness, you’re so snuggly,” Gullotta softly whispered.

This time of year, turkeys might be getting all the attention at the dining room table, but The Gentle Barn founder Ellie Laks said the birds can make great cuddle buddies.

“The world has started to recognize that dogs, cats, horses have a therapeutic value to them,” Laks said. “So at The Gentle Barn, we think, ‘Why not turkeys?’”

Laks said the idea to include turkeys in therapy sessions with people came to her years ago when a particularly chatty bird was following her around the farm while she was doing chores.

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Jordan Gullotta pets a turkey during a cuddle therapy session at The Gentle Barn, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in Christiana, Tenn.

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“We rehabilitate them, give them sanctuary, and then when they’re ready, we partner with them to heal people with the same stories of trauma and connect people to the love and magic of animals,” Laks said.

Laks said turkeys are often misunderstood as dumb and unaffectionate when they are actually extremely intelligent and can give people comfort and one-on-one attention.

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A turkey used for cuddle therapy walks past someone having a session at The Gentle Barn, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in Christiana, Tenn.

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But she realized she could learn more about the turkeys and their temperaments if she got a little closer.

“The turkeys just have their own way of loving, and it’s different than the rest of them,” Gullotta said.

The turkey therapy programs go on all year long, but The Gentle Barn, which also has a location in California, is also offering a holiday session on Thanksgiving where people can feed and pet turkeys as an alternative way to celebrate. People can also sponsor one of the rescued turkeys to help cover the costs of caring for them.

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https://apnews.com/article/turkey-cuddle-therapy-a3d25376d4c3744da8f6eff0a3fe7edf

At the Gentle Barn sanctuary, guests cuddle turkeys on Thanksgiving