Personally introducing the study to the public for the first time, the researchers spoke about their ethical approach, hypotheses, and methods. Given that this is an ongoing study in its early stages, it’s too soon to share results or draw conclusions. Still, for a research team that believes in openness and increasing access to knowledge in an effort to demystify and decolonize the scientific process, this was an important opportunity to give the Farm Sanctuary supporters a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the work being done within the organization.

During the event, audience members asked many insightful and thought-provoking questions. Due to the limited time available, some questions were left unanswered. Below are a few of those questions with answers provided by the researchers.

In humans, only 20-30% of individuals who experience trauma develop PTSD. For our study, this means that we are watching individuals’ behavior as they are enrolled in the study, knowing that it is likely that the majority will not develop PTSD. This means that we do not have a firm goal for our sample size, as we will perform analyses as we go. All that said, experimental studies of PTSD in rodents have used nonparametric statistical methods to investigate behavioral differences in relatively small groups of animals (up to 12 animals per group). With that, we will both assess progress continuously, publishing as soon as we have significant results or once we reach 12 pigs and 12 cows who have experienced trauma (and 12 who have not), whichever comes first.

In the year and a half since we began the study, we added 6 individuals (3 cows, 3 pigs) to our sample. Given that the study is limited by the number of new residents that are brought to sanctuary, we expect the study to take several more years to complete. However, we are eagerly seeking collaborative opportunities with other sanctuaries in order to increase our sample size faster. If you are associated with a farmed animal sanctuary that has the capacity to take new cattle or pig residents in the upcoming year, we would love to speak with you! Please contact [email protected] . This will help us increase our sample size and allow us to conclude the study – and ultimately share the results – sooner.

As stated in our research ethics guidelines, invasive research is prohibited and biological samples (such as saliva) must be collected noninvasively. Although most of this study is observational and thus, noninvasive by nature, we are also trying to analyze salivary cortisol for each participant. This requires collecting voluntary or – at a minimum – noninvasive saliva samples. In order to ensure our methods are not stressful or annoying to residents, we are careful observers of body language and we always give the individual an opportunity to opt-out of participation.

While we aren’t specifically investigating the impact of the different experiences within the dairy industry, we do currently have both male and female cattle in our study group. All of our current cattle participants are breeds that are typically raised for dairy, though we would be open to including breeds typically raised for meat in our sample as well. Not all of the participants came directly from dairies or other farms. Some were kept as companion animals or were previously living with other rescue organizations.

Our current methods look at recently rescued residents. We collect two weeks of behavioral data for study participants three times: 1) when they first arrive, 2) after one month, and 3) after six months. If they do exhibit PTSD-like symptoms within the first month, we predict that these symptoms will subside as a result of being at sanctuary. This is due to the amazing caregivers, thoughtful caregiving practices, and the healing power of sanctuary. Though it is beyond the scope of this study to recommend possible treatments, we believe, based on our own experiences, that the care residents receive at sanctuary promotes healing from past stresses and/or traumas.

Farm Sanctuary and our research team depend on the partnership and generosity of donors in order to do this important work. Your support of our research program will help us uncover scientific information that can be used to advance movement-wide goals – to better educate ourselves, the public, companies and lawmakers about the complex inner lives of farmed animals – and ultimately leverage the power of sanctuaries to change the way society views and treats them.