With so many devastating and complex current events worldwide, such as the fires in Los Angeles and the lingering destruction from Hurricane Helene, it is easy to feel anxious, stressed and unsure.
Whether these disasters directly affect you or impact someone you love, fear, shock, guilt, difficulty concentrating, and even trauma are every day resulting struggles. Luckily, there are several ways to practice self-care and prioritize mental health during these trying times, like spending time with animals.
French poet and journalist–Anatole France–once said, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
From hugging cows and feeding animals to watching wildlife play from afar to volunteering for a chance to make a change, these cathartic opportunities and outings are all around us.
We’ve gathered four must-visit animal-focused destinations across the South so you can visit with these critters at your leisure. No matter your needs, interests or the time of year, each destination offers extraordinary experiences that will soothe the soul!
Located in Christiana, Tenn., approximately an hour outside Nashville, The Gentle Barn is a nonprofit animal sanctuary making great strides for animals and humans with visible and invisible trauma.
Animals were a source of healing and nurturing for The Gentle Barn’s founder, Ellie Laks, as she faced the challenges of growing up. So, she created an organization dedicated to providing that support to others.
The sanctuary’s “gentle-healing method” allows animals to fully recover from abuse using Western medicine, holistic healing modalities, holding therapy, and lots of love. In the past 25 years, The Gentle Barn has hosted hundreds of thousands of guests of all ages.
A wellness space for all, The Gentle Barn’s unique philosophy connects the animals’ stories of survival and healing to the personal experiences of adults and children through interaction and education. One of The Gentle Barn’s most beloved activities is Cow Hug Therapy, a groundbreaking approach to emotional healing that allows visitors to hug and rest on cows.
The sanctuary also offers programs for peace enhancement, people with disabilities, equine therapy, barnyard therapy, education, and literacy.
A haven and rehabilitation center located in West Palm Beach, Fla., McCarthy Wildlife Sanctuary treats hundreds of sick or injured native animals each year. The organization rescues and cares for animals ranging from foxes to bobcats, Sandhill Cranes to pelicans, hawks and owls, and tigers to snakes.
While many of these animals receive veterinarian care from the staff and are released back into the wild, some are housed and tended to with the help of supportive volunteers and members.
On sanctuary tours, guests can expect to encounter more than 200 critters, including a wide variety of mammals and a recently expanded reptile room with residents like tarantulas and a 12-foot albino python.
If you’re looking for an up close and personal experience with these animals, this adventure is for you. The best part? Your visit will help the facility care for its current–and future–beloved residents.
Folsom, La., is home to the Global Wildlife Center, one of the largest free-roaming wildlife preserves of its kind in the United States.
Home to more than 2,000 exotic, endangered and threatened animals from around the globe, the organization protects these creatures through their facility and donations to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Global Wildlife Foundation, funding conservation efforts and education for future generations. Every visit to the Global Wildlife Center fills guests with connections to animal companions, discoveries of the natural world and the joys of doing good work for others.
Notably, the center features several activities, from wagon and private tours to safari parties and field trips. Depending on your desired experience, these exciting offerings allow guests to learn about, feed and interact with animals or even host events in pavilions located on-site.
Looking for a virtual way to connect with animals? This unique animal experience based in Hohenwald, Tenn., provides elephants with vital care, community and safety while allowing guests to view nature’s gentle giants up close through their “EleCams.”
The sanctuary was founded in 1995 and has cared for 34 elephants, 12 of which currently reside on the now 3,060-acre property. The facility encompasses numerous separate, protected and diverse habitats, providing the elephants with room to roam while receiving necessary care.
The elephants, often rescued by the USDA in alignment with the Animal Welfare Act, can be viewed anytime via the sanctuary’s solar-powered camera system. These glimpses into the animals’ lives are an excellent way to connect with animals—without leaving home—practice mindfulness, gain peace at any time, and learn more about our four-legged friends.
Regardless of which animal encounter is more your style, be sure to look into any seasonal events, offerings and programs, purchase tickets ahead of time when possible, and—if you’re able—take some time to dive into the organization’s mission and values to see how you can plug in after your visit.
While it’s easy to feel the world’s weight on your shoulders in trying times, it’s critical to look for the light, positive, hope-filled things in life, however small. Spending time in fellowship with animals is a great way to put life into perspective, slow down and experience healing.
While these wildlife sanctuaries are intended to be a place of healing and a source of aid for animals in need, they have a knack for providing refuge to the people who visit them, too.
