An unusual therapy is gaining popularity in Lithuania, and men are often the most surprised

Visitors to Ąžuolų Vila in Kazlų Rūda begin their cow-therapy session by putting their phones in a box for two hours. The activity is intended to give them a break from everyday speed and let them simply spend time with the animals.

After an introduction to the cows and the activity, guests can choose brushes, groom the animals, stroke them, hug them or sit and lie beside them. Founder Eglė says visitors often handle the cows cautiously because they fear hurting them, but stronger brushing can feel like a massage to the animals. One cow soon lay down beside the television presenter Kornelija Jasiūnaitė, who stroked it and lay on its soft coat.

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We realized that we feel incredibly good being with cows, lying with them, being there, brushing them and doing nothing else.

Eglė said she and a friend got the idea from other countries where cow therapy had already been offered. They searched for a similar activity in Lithuania and, finding none, created their own venue. Some visitors, especially men who arrive with their partners, initially wonder why they should brush or hug cows. Eglė said they often end up sitting beside the animals and needing nothing else.

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They think, ‘My wife is dragging me somewhere to stroke cows,’ but then they sit beside those cows and need nothing else.