Our AAT Cattle  

Our strong bond with our cattle is one of the reasons we are so determined to find new ways to ensure that they live longer and happier lives than the average cow. Preparing them to be pets has proven to be extremely effective. Further to that, we have been training our cattle as Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) co workers since 2008. It is a source of great pride for us. You can help us with this training by adopting a calf and coming to visit.

Our small traditional Galloway cattle now have two new roles that do not involve them living short lives and being slaughtered. This makes us and our cows very happy. What's not to love about a life spent cuddling these beautiful, docile cows?

Our GOLD CREEK cattle love nothing more than a paddock full of visitors with brushes. Braidwood July 2023

Cows and Therapy

Everyday Therapy

Unlike most humans, cattle are uncomplicated mammals. Many humans lead stressful, complicated lives and don’t know how to relax or unwind. For a human, being able to come into a paddock, interact with and share a relaxing bond with such a large gentle animal is a wonderful thing. What makes it therapeutic? First, there are all well known the benefits of just being outside. Then, there is the calm, gentle nature of the cows themselves. Who doesn’t love spending time with a calm, patient friend?

Cows don’t talk endlessly about their own problems, but they will listen to yours. They don’t interrupt you when you are talking. They listen intently. Sometimes the most important thing they do is listen and never give unwelcome advice.

Cows have a slower heart rate than humans, which is calming to be around. Many of our cows intuitively know who needs what, when people come for a visit. We can see their little cow brains quietly ticking over... Does this human just want to talk to me? Do I need to convince them to stroke me or brush me? Or should I just stand here and ruminate for a while and let the human work it out for themselves?

Being outside is wonderful. Being in a paddock is a treat. Not everyone is cut out to be a farmer. Not everyone wants to or can afford to live on acreage. So, just being in a paddock is a novel experience for many people. Nothing speaks more to rural Australia than being in a paddock. There are no cars, no artificial lights, no loud unnatural sounds or chemical smells. Bliss!

When we put people in paddocks with our cows, magic happens.

For more detailed information about what makes an AAT cow please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.OrThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Suzanne to apply for a user name and password.

People Living with Mental Health Challenges.

So many Australians live with all kinds of different mental health challenges and they can all benefit greatly from time with these cattle. Living with depression or anxiety and the unavoidable stresses of everyday life can be exhausting. These things are often the reason people keep coming back to spend time with our cattle. It is both relaxing and re energising. One person said it was like having their mental battery recharged. Another talked about not needing their blood pressure medication anymore. Lots of people see it as a way to stay mentally and physically healthy.

For more detailed information about what makes an AAT cow please For more detailed information about what makes an AAT cow pleaseclick here.Or contact Suzanne to apply for a user name and password.

People Recovering from Trauma

People recovering from trauma benefit significantly from time with our cattle. Life can throw some serious trauma our way when we least expect it. Very few people are ever ready for it. Many need a lot of time and assistance to recover. Time in the paddock with some very quiet cattle is sometimes part of what is needed. The sheer enjoyment of the time with the cows has been the one thing that has encouraged several people to go back outside. When struggling with the demands of rehabilitation, it can become very tempting to just give up.

For more detailed information about what makes an AAT cow please click here. OrThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Suzanne to apply for a user name and password.

People With Disabilities (and different abilities)

Not all people in wheelchairs are able to enjoy the freedom of riding horses, but they can certainly enjoy bonding with our small cattle. It was fascinating to watch the interaction when we first introduced our cows to yet another new thing - Rodney, a young man on wheels. 

This is Dusty's first time meeting Rodney and she is not fazed by the wheelchair. 

A full-grown traditional Galloway cow, Dusty measures less than 120cm at the hip. However, weighing in at around 450kg, that is a lot of weight to be thrown around if something goes wrong. Rodney was acutely aware of this at first. As he spent more and more time with Dusty, Rod became more engrossed in what he was doing and totally oblivious to their differences.

Dusty let Rodney know that she likes his brushing technique and that she's cool with his wheels.

Preparing Cattle For The  Unexpected

One way of ensuring that the cattle we are training as AAT co-workers are prepared for the unexpected is to introduce them to as many children as we can, as often as we can. The children are perfectly safe. We explain what they can expect from the cattle and what the cattle need from them. Basically, the worst and the best thing one of our cows will do is walk away from someone.

The more visitors of all shapes and sizes the cattle meet, the more likely it is that they will encounter all sorts of weird and unusual happenings. For AAT training, this is a good thing. Our cattle have now learned that loud noises, sudden movements, and excited chatter are part and parcel of the interaction with children (and many adults for that matter).

For more detailed information about what makes an AAT cow please click here. OrThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Suzanne to apply for a user name and password.

The Feedback is Rewarding

Wendy Wheels

When our AAT co workers go to their new homes, the feedback from their new owners is so rewarding. When we get beautiful photos like the one below, we know our time has been well spent. As you can imagine, living with osteogenesis imperfecta has many challenges. Wendy (also known as Wendy Wheels), takes most challenges in her 'stride' and is living an amazing life full of family and adventure. When her partner organised a new family member to arrive by horse float, Wendy couldn't believe her eyes. Pixie, Wendy's new best friend, calmly walked off the horse float and straight over to Wendy. Within minutes they were nose to nose, both of them happily enjoying some love and attention.

Pixie straight off the transporter after an eight hour trip and over to greet her new owner, Wendy in Victoria.

Tradegy Changes Everything - Sarah & Dusty

In 2019, when Sarah McClure went for a workout at the gym, she didn't expect to be pinned against a brick wall by a runaway SUV and lose her leg. But that is what happened. After spending two hours floating in and out of consciousness while the police and SES officers worked to stabilise the brick wall, Sarah was air lifted to Westmead Hospital. The blood loss and damage to her leg was too great. Sarah's leg had to be amputated above the knee.

Sarah with her two dogs. With her right leg amputated, she starts the very long road to recovery.

At 31 years old, Sarah was determined to walk again. To do this, she knew she had to find as many reasons as possible to get outside and back into life. One of those reasons turned out to be two of our cows. Dusty and Hobbit went to live on Sarah's parents' property on the outskirts of Bathurst, where Sarah spent a great deal of time during her recovery. It turns out that training Dusty to be OK with wheelchairs came in very handy for quite a while. However, it wasn't long before Sarah, now sporting her new prothesis, was going into the paddock on a quad bike to spend time with the cows.

Sarah (on the quad bike) at home with her Dad, Stephen. They are taking hay out to Dusty and Hobbit.

GOLD CREEK Galloway Stud Braidwood Southern NSW Australia ©2005-2024.