Cows are adorable animals that can make anyone happy just by looking at them, but did you know they are used in therapy too? Bovine-assisted therapy, more simply known as cow cuddling, has gone viral online. What could be better than cuddling a cow? This post by Aimee’s Farm Animal Sanctuary shows what bovine therapy looks like! Read below to learn what you need to know about cow cuddling!
Cows are great animals to cuddle!
©Elena Sherengovskaya/Shutterstock.com
What Is Bovine Therapy?
Bovine therapy, or cow cuddling therapy, is going viral online for its fun and relaxing nature. While this unique therapy does not have exact origins, cow petting and cuddling have been a fun activity in farm tours or petting zoos. Cow cuddling as therapy took off in Europe, spreading to the United States and gaining popularity in the United States in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Currently, this therapy lets participants spend time with cows by cuddling, petting, and relaxing with them on a nice day. While not essential, guided discussions may incorporate traditional therapy methods, helping participants maximize their time.
While bovine therapy sounds like a nice excuse to relax with some cows, there is a multitude of proven benefits! Research at NYU let participants cuddle with cows and state how the therapy made them feel. Similar to other therapy animals, bovine therapy can help reduce the negative effects of depression and anxiety. Recent studies suggest that bovine therapy may offer therapeutic benefits and could complement traditional psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Animal therapies help to release hormones like oxytocin, helping to lower stress and blood pressure.
Cows are snacking on some grass.
©Jan K/Shutterstock.com
How to Try Bovine Therapy?
Bovine therapy is still considered experimental, making practices and methods unstandardized. Cow cuddling is hard to find in most of the country, but can be found in states such as California, New York, Tennessee, Utah, Maryland, and Texas, among others. Places that offer cow cuddling are often animal sanctuaries, small family farms focused on agritourism, and mental health retreat centers. Animal sanctuaries like The Gentle Barn offer cow cuddling therapy, helping to support their conservation methods and the mental health of visitors. While bovine therapy is not widely available, you can research animal sanctuaries or retreat centers that may offer it in your area or state.
The post Why More People Are Turning to Cows for Comfort and Calm appeared first on A-Z Animals.
