2015 SoCal Pet Expo and Ellie Laks of The Gentle Barn Team Up to Tell a Story of Compassion

POMONA, Calif. - Feb. 3, 2015 - PRLog -- Amazing Pet Expos and The Gentle Barn have recently partnered to bring a unique perspective on education to the Southern California (SoCal) Pet Expo on February 21^st and 22^nd.  Animal lovers and non-profit organizations with a focus on mentorship will be interested to meet Ellie Laks and learn about how her organization fosters kindness and empathy. The event will take place on Saturday, February 21st from 10AM to 6PM and Sunday February 22nd from 11AM to 4PM, at the Fairplex.

“Ellie Laks’ mission is to teach children how to care for animals as a segue to teaching them that people are all the same, no matter their status in life, is one that needs to be shared,” says Ethan Barnett, Vice President of Community Partnerships for Amazing Pet Expos. “We’re ecstatic to be the latest platform to help her deliver her message to the pet community.”

Laks founded The Gentle Barn in Tarzana in 1999. She majored in special education and psychology, and with her special love of animals and children, The Gentle Barn was a perfect way of putting all her talents and passions into one. Since then, The Gentle Barn has moved to a six-acre property in Santa Clarita, where it is open to at-risk youth, special needs children, and schools so that they can visit and help care for the animals.

“Compassion towards all living beings is important to me – as well as giving every animal and child a place of healing and safety,” says Laks. “I’m really excited to be participating at the Pet Expo this year so that I can spread this idea.”

The SoCal Pet Expo will also feature photos and autographs with animal celebrities Shorty Rossi (Pit Boss), Wayde King, Brett Raymer, and Irwin Raymer (Tanked) along withmore than 100 exhibitors, live entertainment and demonstrations, and a Petfinder.com mega-adoption area with more than 200 rescue pets available for adoption. Low-cost immunizations, discounted microchipping and free nail trims will also be available for all the furry friends who need them.

The SoCal Pet Expo is free, indoors, and air-conditioned and is expected to attract more than 10,000 attendees along with their furry, feathered and reptilian pals. Attendees will enjoy a new and one-of-a-kind event, where all pets can enjoy a fun day out with their pet parent(s). All well-behaved pets are welcome, as long as they’re on a fixed lead (or in a carrier) and have proof of age-appropriate rabies vaccines. Discounted vaccinations will be available all day for pets not current on their vaccinations.

The 2015 SoCal Pet Expo is produced by Amazing Expos, a leading event production company that currently produces more than 30 large pet expos across the United States. For more information, call 800-977-3609, email expo@socalpetexpo.com or visit http://www.socalpetexpo.com, https://www.facebook.com/SoCalPetExpo or https://www.twitter.com/AmazingPetExpo.