Most people don’t think twice about where their food comes from—just whether they should grab the organic or free-range option. But for a group of cows in St. Louis, Missouri, the journey to the dinner plate took an unexpected turn when one determined bovine had a different idea.
Chico, the fearless leader of the herd, wasn’t about to become someone’s cheeseburger. With a burst of determination, he broke through three fences, freeing five of his fellow cows from the slaughterhouse. The great escape was on.
Once out, the cows made a mad dash through the streets, dodging traffic and turning the city into an impromptu game of “Catch Me If You Can.” Commuters were stunned, and the daring escape even made the evening news. But despite their best efforts, the cows were eventually rounded up and returned to the slaughterhouse.
That’s when the community stepped in. St. Louis had fallen in love with Chico and his runaway crew, and people weren’t about to let them become food. A GoFundMe campaign was launched, raising enough money to buy the cows’ freedom. The only problem? They needed a safe place to go.
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Enter The Gentle Barn. With locations in California and Tennessee, the animal sanctuary knew these cows deserved a second chance. So, they made a bold move—opening a brand-new location in Missouri just to take them in.
Ellie Laks, the founder of The Gentle Barn, recalled the moment she met Chico. “I got out of the car, walked over to the pasture fence, and about 150 feet away, the cows were in a line looking at me. Chico crossed the distance until he was standing right in front of me. I dropped to my knees and started weeping,” she told Almost 30 Podcast.
At that moment, she knew—these cows had a bigger purpose.
Now, instead of facing slaughter, Chico and his friends spend their days playing, grazing, and offering “cow hug therapy” to visitors. Yep, you read that right. These gentle giants have a knack for cuddling, resting their massive heads in people’s laps like oversized, mooing lapdogs.
For anyone looking for an unconventional dose of comfort, a trip to St. Louis for some cow snuggles might just be the perfect therapy session.