From meeting horses to feeding and grooming cows, these Indian retreats are adding animal encounters to experiences centred on wellbeing.
A wellness holiday need not revolve entirely around treatments, yoga sessions and prescribed meals. At some Indian retreats, spending time with animals is becoming part of the experience. Whether it is standing beside a horse, feeding a cow or simply sitting in their company, these encounters offer guests another way to step away from everyday pressures.
There may also be psychological benefits to these interactions. Dr Mehezabin Dordi, Clinical Psychologist at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, explains that being around animals can offer a non-judgemental form of companionship. It may help ease feelings of loneliness, bring attention to the present moment and interrupt repetitive thought patterns. Dr Sayantini Mukherjee, Consultant Psychiatrist at Manipal Hospital, Pune, adds that interactions with animals can stimulate the release of hormones such as oxytocin and serotonin, which are associated with improved mood and reduced stress, particularly among people who enjoy their company.
At Fazlani Nature’s Nest near Lonavala in Maharashtra, horses are an integral part of wellness. Guests meet the animals in a round pen, without riding or formal lessons. The experience centres on being in their presence and observing how one responds to them. It forms part of a wider wellness programme at the property, which includes Ayurveda, naturopathy, yoga and physiotherapy. Each guest’s stay begins with a medical assessment, after which the programme is tailored to individual requirements.
While at Swastik Wellbeing Sanctuary in Khadakwasla, Pune, guests can spend time with Punganur cows, a small indigenous breed. Petting and feeding the animals are among the activities offered at the property, which combines nature-based experiences with Ayurveda, naturopathy, meditation and other wellness practices. The encounters add another dimension to a stay that goes beyond conventional spa treatments.
Further south, Kanasu Wellness in Udupi, Karnataka, has a traditional goshala called Gokulam within its campus. Guests can take part in feeding the cows, brushing them or simply sitting nearby and observing the herd. The goshala is also connected to the retreat’s wider approach to Ayurveda and traditional practices, making animal care part of the property’s daily environment.
At Kamdhenu Arogya Wellness Sansthan in Nuh, Haryana, cow contact is included in its range of wellness activities. Known as cow cuddling, the experience involves sitting beside the animals, touching and gently caressing them. The centre’s wider programme draws on Ayurveda, Panchgavya-based practices, yoga and naturopathy.
While these experiences may offer guests an opportunity to spend time with animals in a different setting, it is worth distinguishing informal animal encounters from animal-assisted therapy. The latter is a structured intervention with defined goals and appropriate professional supervision; simply being around animals does not automatically constitute therapy.
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