Preliminary Evidence on Psychophysiological and Emotional Responses to Different Types of Human–Calf Interaction in Healthy Adults

This study investigated the effects of human–calf interactions on psychophysiological and emotional responses in humans. Thirty healthy adults (mean age: 25 ± 1.3 years) participated in four distinct 3 min activities with a Holstein calf: (1) watching a 2D video of a calf (video observation), (2) observing a calf directly (direct observation), (3) feeding a calf, and (4) grooming a calf. Electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements were recorded from the prefrontal, frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes during each activity. Participants’ emotional states were assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire before and after the sessions. Results showed that relative alpha power spectra, indicative of relaxation and resting states, significantly increased during both direct and video observation of the calf compared to feeding or grooming activities (p < 0.05). Relative beta power, associated with concentration and alertness without stress, was also elevated during the observation conditions relative to grooming (p = 0.044). Furthermore, POMS scores revealed a significant reduction in total mood disturbance after calf-related activities, particularly following observation (both video and direct) and grooming (p = 0.004). These findings suggest that brief interactions with calves may promote relaxation, enhance attention, reduce stress, and improve emotional well-being in healthy adults. The results provide preliminary evidence that may inform future research on the development of animal-assisted activity programs.