Pig playpen reduces student stress

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Students in Nottingham, England, were squealing with joy over a pig play-pen late last May, Mashable reports.

In an effort to help reduce stress during exam season, the Nottingham Trent University's Student Union (NTSU) – with the help of local micropig breeder Petpiggies – organized a "piglet room" where students could spend up to five minutes cuddling with some adorable animals. Marcus Boswell, the NTSU president, told The Guardian that, "we welcome the opportunity to do things slightly differently here at NTSU, and if a creative idea can be beneficial for all parties involved, then we are all for it. Our main aim is to provide students with a platform to take a break from their revision, and subsequently it is a great opportunity for us to develop another local partnership with Petpiggies."

This swine saloon did more than de-stress students. Mashable reports that all proceeds from the event go to support the Guide Dogs Nottingham Mobility Team. Last year, NTSU organized a puppy room, which The Guardian says earned more than £5,000 (C$9,475).

According to Mashable, this year students had the opportunity to cuddle two goats, a donkey, ducks, chickens and, of course, seven piglets. BP