Udderly fascinating research reveals cows prefer hugs from women

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

Cuddle cows prefer hugs from women, reveals new research.

Farmyard favorites Magnus and Callum were roped in by doctors as therapy animals to help people overcome trauma.

But the bovine care assistants would rather be cuddled by human females than men, according to a study published in the journal Human-Animal Interactions.

American scientists found that the cows, called Magnus and Callum, showed a "strong preference" for hugs from women or girls compared to boys or men.

But the cows also benefit from the therapy session interactions with humans, according to the ground-breaking research.

The study, which scientists say opens a "new era" on whether some therapies may be initially stronger based on gender and not procedure, also found that the women reported greater attachment to the steers.

Dr. Katherine Compitus, a Clinical Assistant Professor at New York University, and Dr. Sonya Bierbower, an Associate Professor at the United States Military Academy West Point, conducted the research using the Human-Animal Interaction Scale (HAIS) as a measurement tool.

They explained that HAIS is a 24-item self-report instrument designed to describe and quantify behaviors performed by humans and animals when interacting.

The researchers examined the behavioral and cognitive traits of cattle who work as therapy animals.

Special attention was paid to the welfare and enrichment benefits of cattle involved in bovine-assisted therapy.

Dr. Compitus and Dr. Bierbower, conducted the study at the Surrey Hills Sanctuary in New York State, with Magnus and Callum and 11 people aged 13 to 79. Six were female and five were male.

They say little research has previously looked at the therapeutic benefits of farm animal-assisted interventions.

Dr. Compitus said: “The results of this study show that the steers showed a strong preference or interactions with women compared to men, and, in turn, the women reported stronger attachment behaviors towards the steers.

“It is unclear without further testing whether the animals sought out the attention of women in general or if the women were more likely to initiate the actions when compared to the men participants.”

She says animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is used in conjunction with other methods such as psychodynamic psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

The most common AAT model is when a companion animal, such as a dog or cat, is integrated into a therapeutic plan.

Dr. Compitus says AAT has been studied with a variety of populations and conditions, from treating substance abuse to autism, often with positive results.

She said groups that certify therapy animals will sometimes certify several species of animals to work as therapeutic partners - such as miniature horses, rabbits and even llamas.

But until now there has been little research addressing the therapeutic benefits of animal-assisted interventions with farm animals.

The researchers say cows have special behavioral traits that allow them to bond with people in a way that is unique to their size and temperament.

Dr. Bierbower said, “Two of the gaps in the research we address in this study are the inclusion of cattle in AAT and an examination of the cognitive processes of animals involved in AAT.”

She suggested that cattle that are uncomfortable with a human presence will show an increase in "stress signals" such as making noises when involved in therapy work, while cattle that enjoy human company will have reduced stress signals.

The researchers said other notable behaviors in cattle during AAT may include lying down and licking or smelling the person.

They say that is indicative of their comfort level with humans since cows are known to engage in social grooming.

With the two steers in the study, Dr. Compitus and Dr. Bierbower found that after 45 minutes of contact with the humans, Magnus and Callum often smelled or licked them and accepted food from them.

They also allowed physical human-initiated interactions in the form of hugs, grooming, petting, or kisses.

The animals rarely made unfriendly or aggressive gestures towards them, though they would occasionally decline to interact.

One participant stated that she was worried the bulls would be more aggressive but “fell in love with cows” after the session.

All the participants reported having an overall positive session with the steers and most stated they would recommend bovine-assisted therapy to a friend.

Dr. Compitus added: “We have discovered in the current study that bovine-assisted therapy may not only be an effective treatment model that benefits human participants but appears to be enriching to the cattle participants as well, as shown by their proximity to and continuous interactions with humans.”