Cows need people

CowJoy Farm is an advocacy and educational non-profit. We believe that human interaction is crucial for cattle welfare.

Many people are unaware that cows are intelligent complex animals with intellectual, emotional and social needs. Whilst good nutrition, a safe environment and ongoing veterinary care are fundamental to cow welfare, they are not enough to keep cows happy. Social, emotional and cognitive enrichment are also essential.

Domesticated over 2000 years ago, cows have evolved to look to people for company, support and stimulation. Unfortunately, the recent trend to large scale factory operations means that many cows no longer receive daily interactions with familiar trusted carers. The result is many of their needs are not met. They are less secure, more alienated and often bored or frustrated.

We want to raise awareness about the significance of regular positive human interaction for cattle. We believe that the stronger the bond between cows and humans the better the outcome for both.

Whether a cow on a diary farm producing milk, a steer on a ranch being raised for beef, a family cow on a homestead or a rescue cow in a sanctuary, all cows deserve to live happy and fulfilled lives.

Founder's background

My passion for cows started as a small child when I spent my summers on a small Welsh dairy farm. I formed close bonds with the herd feeding them grass from a bucket and spending time talking and stroking them. in the end the cows became so tame I was able to get them to follow me and even ride one of them.

As an adult I have spent most of my working life supporting and educating people. First as a nurse, then as a high school teacher finally as an educational consultant for children with special needs.

But I always dreamed of working with cattle. Moving to the USA gave me that opportunity and I have spent the last 5 years caring for cattle both at farm sanctuaries and on our own properties in Burnet and Bastrop Texas. It was while doing this that I learned that not only do people benefit from spending time with cows but cows benefit too. Cows look to people for social interaction, emotional support and cognitive stimulation. When they receive these from people they form strong bonds and seek out their company.

At Safe in Austin I took a leading role in caring for Champion a paraplegic bull calf and his mother. This was challenging because Champion was almost completely dependent on people to meet all his needs. I quickly found that providing food, water and a safe environment was not enough. Champion needed company, physical affection and mental stimulation. I learnt the importance of talking to him and spending time in close proximity, the mutual pleasure of hugging and grooming and the delight of seeing his curiosity and excitement when presented with new enrichment.

At Austin Farm Sanctuary I worked as part of the enrichment team and was able to observe the change in behavior of the cattle who received regular human attention. They became more relaxed and also more visibly playful and excited. Given free choice they sort out contact with people not only for food, but also for intellectual stimulation excitedly watching as new enrichment was added. They also, like Champion, sort out emotional support when sick or scared. I worked closely with Linus a blind calf who became distressed when the other special needs cows moved to another field where he couldn't find them. I trained him to follow my voice and walked him to where they were.

When we started Cowjoy Farm in 2024 I was able to use this knowledge to develop a continuous wholistic program of social, emotional and cognitive enrichment for our own herd. It is still a work in progress. Unlike farm sanctuary animals my herd came from a small ranch with limited human interaction: many were initially quite reserved and anxious around me. In the end this has turned out to be a good thing. Cowjoy Farm aims to assist not just sanctuaries but also ranchers and dairies to improve their interactions with their cattle. Our herd has provided a good example of the cow human relationship as it exists on many ranches and dairy farms around the country. We can now speak from experience that it is possible to dramatically transform that relationship and thus significantly improve the overall welfare of the cattle in our care.

Katharine Learmonth, October 2025

Caring for Champion and Patchula at Safe in Austin.

Blind cattle at Austin Farm Sanctuary enjoying using their noses to find treats in hanging buckets

Cows retrieving treats from a puzzle ball: part of our regular enrichment at Cowjoy Farn.

"When I came to form my non-profit, I believed that my best chance to recreate the connection I had with Champion was to get cows that shared his genetics and came from the same place. My small herd of nine cows all have the same father as Champion and mothers with similar genetics to Patchula."

Kathy Learmonth, Founder of Cowjoy Farm