Cows are more than a pretty face or a glass of milk. Visitors to my farm often ask if I milk my cows, and I have great respect for farmers who do, but I’m not one of them. While all cows can produce milk, only breeds like Guernsey, Jersey, Holstein and Brown Swiss are genetically bred to produce lots of milk and are called “dairy” cattle.
Other breeds, like Hereford, Angus, Scottish Highland and Pinzgauer, that have been bred for meat are the cattle I own.
Until 2024, I raised beef cattle for meat until I discovered they also have another quality: therapy. We know the benefits of therapy dogs and the remarkable healing of therapy horses, but cattle deserve the same recognition. Their healing qualities have been largely ignored.
Cattle have slower heart rates than humans, higher body temperatures than humans and
and are more than willing to share their calm with humans. I invite visitors to my farm to hug, brush and even sit on my bovines. One woman told me her anxiety about losing her father melted away when she brushed one of my calves. Another said her depression disappeared when she hugged Curious Bleu, a 2,000-pound Scottish Highland steer.
Another bovine quality is living in the “now.” Cattle don’t fret about what happened days ago. If you’re like me, it’s easy to loop about what happened, to try to change the past. But here’s a well-kept secret: it’s impossible to change the past. I’m not saying to deny the past, but learn from it and move on because that’s just what cattle do. They live in the now; the now of the cow.
If you want to experience the Now of the Cow, join me on Aug. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Meet my cattle, brush them, give them a treat, and feel their healing energy for yourself. Register now at https://milessmithfarm.com/cow-crew-experience to reserve your spot.