What inspired you to explore cow cuddling therapy and make it the focus of your PhD research?
Dr. Shubham Sharma: My journey into cow cuddling therapy began not in a laboratory or classroom but during the quiet, sacred summers I spent with my grandparents in the serene hills of Uttarakhand. In those moments, I witnessed cows not as livestock but as living embodiments of calm, care, and interconnectedness. They were part of everything—our nourishment, rituals, and daily rhythm.
As I grew older, I began to notice a disconnect. These sacred beings were now wandering neglected through urban chaos, no longer revered but forgotten. That stark contrast shook something in me. It made me wonder if we had lost not just our bond with these animals but also the healing wisdom they quietly carried.
Drawing from Vedic philosophy, which refers to the cow as “सर्वसुखदायिनी”—the bringer of all happiness—I saw potential for a therapy rooted in compassion, ecology, and tradition. My PhD became a sacred pursuit to reawaken this connection, both for human well-being and the dignity of the cow.
As a psychologist deeply interested in therapy and non-conventional approaches to healing, this path aligned naturally with my professional calling. Our Vedic concepts have historically kept our civilizations emotionally and spiritually enriched—so I felt a responsibility to explore and preserve that wisdom. When I saw cows wandering aimlessly in the streets, I was reminded that, as individuals, we have duties toward nature and the sentient beings we share it with. Cow cuddling therapy became a way to bridge neglected cultural reverence with modern mental health needs, especially for populations where emotional well-being is often overlooked due to a lack of awareness or resources.
Can you share a transformative case that highlights the healing power of cow-assisted therapy?
Dr. Shubham Sharma: One of the most moving experiences came from a young woman battling chronic anxiety and deep emotional disconnection. During a session, she leaned into one of our cows, and as she rested her head against its soft, rhythmic breath, something shifted. With tears streaming down her face, she later told me it felt like the cow “heard her silence.”
That embrace—wordless, weightless, warm—held more than comfort. It held space. For her, that moment wasn’t just therapeutic; it was sacred, ancestral even. It was as though she had reconnected not just with herself but with something greater—a presence that transcended language.
Stories like hers continually affirm the immense, quiet power of animal intelligence and the spiritual depth embedded in this ancient bond. As psychologists, we often search for breakthrough methods to help clients reconnect with their emotions—this was a powerful testament to how nature-based therapy can offer exactly that. It showed me that healing can be natural, non-verbal, and rooted in timeless connections.
Your book blends Vedic wisdom, science, and lived experience. How did you balance these elements while writing?
Dr. Shubham Sharma: The balance came naturally because it mirrors the life I live and the therapy I advocate. I didn’t set out to write a book heavy on philosophy or buried in scientific jargon. I wanted it to feel like a conversation—grounded, sincere, and inclusive.
The Vedic framework provided the spiritual foundation, with its timeless reverence for the cow. My scientific training ensured the approach was evidence-based, measurable, and ethically sound. And my lived experience filled the gaps in between, reminding me that healing is not always about formulas—sometimes, it’s about stories and presence.
While my other books explore consciousness more deeply, this handbook is meant to be a bridge—between head and heart, ancient and modern, intuition and data. Writing it was not just an academic effort—it was an offering, a way to return to what many of us have forgotten. It reflects my own healing journey, guided by both logic and faith.
Many people are unfamiliar with cow cuddling as therapy. What are some misconceptions, and how do you address them?
Dr. Shubham Sharma: One major misconception is that cow cuddling is some sort of spiritual indulgence or rural quirk. It’s often dismissed as feel-good folklore rather than legitimate therapy. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Our ancestors weren’t naive—they knew something we’re only just beginning to validate through neuroscience and psychology. Gentle interaction with cows can lower cortisol levels, regulate the nervous system, and foster emotional resilience.
I challenge skepticism with evidence: structured case studies, physiological data, and Vedic texts like “गोमाता अन्नदात्री”—Mother Cow, the giver of nourishment. When you blend ancient reverence with scientific clarity, the misconceptions begin to melt away.
As someone working at the intersection of psychology and cultural practice, I find that truth often lives where ancient wisdom and modern methods overlap. The more we educate, the more we heal through shared understanding.
Your work bridges ancient wisdom and modern psychology. How do you see traditional practices shaping the future of therapy?
Dr. Shubham Sharma: I believe the future of therapy lies not in choosing between ancient wisdom and modern psychology but in harmonizing the two. Traditional healing systems understood that the human experience is multi-dimensional—emotional, physical, spiritual, and ecological.
The cow, revered across cultures, is a symbol of that very wholeness. As modern therapy evolves, we’re slowly coming back to these roots. We’re realizing that healing requires presence, rhythm, nature, and sacredness.
Practices like cow cuddling therapy remind us that sometimes, touch can speak louder than talk. And silence, when shared with a sentient being, can be more healing than noise. As mental health professionals, we must be open to modalities that may seem unconventional but resonate deeply with cultural and spiritual truths. Our job is not just to treat—but to understand, honor, and restore.
Beyond emotional support, does cow cuddling help with stress or trauma recovery?
Dr. Shubham Sharma: Absolutely. Our initial research focused on anxiety, anger issues, and family relationship challenges, and the findings were both heartening and humbling.
Participants reported reduced emotional volatility, better conflict resolution, and a newfound sense of inner calm. Building on this, we’ve expanded our focus to include trauma recovery. The tactile, grounded presence of a cow acts like an emotional anchor.
Their slow movements, warm bodies, and gentle energy create a space where the nervous system can finally exhale. In many cases, individuals shared that it was the first time in years they felt safe in their own bodies.
Cow cuddling becomes more than a soothing activity—it becomes a somatic sanctuary, a return to wholeness through presence.
You patented a therapeutic model for cow cuddling. How does this structured approach improve its impact?
Dr. Shubham Sharma: The patent was born out of a desire to offer both integrity and scalability. Cow-assisted therapy is sacred work, but without structure, it risks being misused or misunderstood. My patented model lays down protocols for ethical animal treatment, safety parameters for participants, and step-by-step therapeutic guidelines. It transforms the practice from an informal interaction into a recognized intervention. More importantly, it ensures that the welfare of the cows remains central. They are not props or passive participants; they are co-therapists. The structure gives the therapy scientific legitimacy while honoring its spiritual essence. As a psychologist, structure also helps standardize outcomes and train practitioners with consistent ethics and sensitivity. It brings accountability while still respecting the emotional core of this unique method.
In today’s digital world, how do you get people to embrace a therapy rooted in stillness and nature?
Dr. Shubham Sharma: It’s not always easy, but it’s becoming increasingly necessary. People are waking up to the costs of constant connectivity—burnout, loneliness, anxiety. What cow cuddling offers is not just stillness but reconnection—reconnection with the body, with breath, and with non-verbal empathy. I often tell people this isn’t about going backward; it’s about returning to what matters. In a world that moves fast, this therapy invites you to slow down and remember. And once someone experiences that first moment of peace, of feeling seen without words, they often come back—not just to the therapy, but to themselves. For many, it becomes a doorway into a new rhythm of life—one grounded in awareness, care, and sacred simplicity. In this way, cow cuddling isn’t just therapy; it’s a philosophy of living.
What’s needed to bring cow cuddling therapy into mainstream mental health care?
Dr. Shubham Sharma: It will require efforts in policy advocacy, interdisciplinary research, grassroots programs, and urban collaborations. We need mental health professionals willing to think outside the clinic, agricultural communities open to new roles for their cattle, and public health systems that recognize the power of nature-based care. Pilot programs in schools, prisons, and urban farms can serve as living laboratories. Additionally, we must protect the cultural wisdom behind the practice, ensuring it isn’t diluted in translation. With ethical grounding and evidence-driven advocacy, I believe cow cuddling therapy can stand proudly among recognized healing modalities. It is especially vital in developing nations where mental health infrastructure is still catching up—this offers an affordable, scalable, and culturally rooted option. I see it as a community-centered bridge between tradition and transformation. The need of the hour is to reimagine healing spaces that are inclusive, compassionate, and deeply connected to our ecological and cultural roots. If nurtured well, this approach can redefine mental health outreach in both urban and rural populations, creating access where little exists.
What do you hope readers, professionals, or seekers take from your book?
Dr. Shubham Sharma: More than anything, I hope they feel an invitation—to pause, to reflect, to reconnect. This book is not just about cows; it’s about us, about what we’ve forgotten and what we can remember. Whether you’re a therapist looking for integrative tools, a researcher exploring new frontiers, or a soul in search of peace, this work offers a gentle reminder: healing doesn’t always require medicine. Sometimes, it requires presence. Sometimes, it’s as simple as resting your head on the heart of a creature who asks nothing from you, yet gives everything. Let this book be a map back to that sacred space within and around us. My deepest hope is that it sparks curiosity, compassion, and a renewed respect for the intelligence of the natural world. If it inspires even one person to reconnect—with themselves, with animals, or with their roots—then it has served its purpose.
