Cow-Assisted Interventions in Social Farming: First Results of a Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Social farming and Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs).
• Exploration of human-cow therapeutic relationships within social farming contexts.

Background:

• Social farming integrates agricultural, social, and healthcare functions.
• Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) are increasingly used in social farming.
• Cattle are notably absent from current Italian guidelines and understudied in AAIs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility, effects, and economic sustainability of cow-assisted interventions in social farming.
• To introduce an experimental cow therapy protocol and behavioral monitoring tools.
• To evaluate the human-cow relationship's therapeutic potential.

Main Methods:

• Pilot study involving four Red Pied Valdostana cows and three participant groups: adolescents removed from families, young adults with mental health disorders, and individuals with eating disorders.
• Structured sessions included observation, feeding, grooming, problem-solving, and leading activities.
• Assessment of human outcomes (emotional, relational, behavioral) and continuous monitoring of animal welfare, alongside a cost analysis for AAA, AAE, and AAT.

Main Results:

• Participants reported enhanced self-esteem, emotional expression, and social interaction; the eating disorder group showed increased openness to dairy consumption.
• Animal welfare remained stable, with high tolerance to handling.
• Cost analysis revealed increasing hourly costs from AAA (€74.51) to AAE (€144.99) and AAT (€172.41), driven by professional staff.

Conclusions:

• Cow-assisted interventions are safe, feasible, and beneficial for diverse participant groups.
• The study supports the potential inclusion of cow-assisted interventions in Italian guidelines for AAIs.
• A clear trade-off exists between intervention type (recreational to therapeutic) and financial investment, professionalization, and clinical outcomes.