LONDON -- You've heard of therapy dogs, but what about therapy pigs?
Students at Nottingham Trent University are de-stressing during their exams with the help of some piglets that have taken up temporary residence on two of their three campuses.
Last year the same students' union organised a puppy room for stressed-out exam takers, raising money for guide dogs, and this year's piglet or micro pig pen is a spin-off of that idea, the university's students' union president Marcus Boswell told Mashable.
"It’s been busy the entire two days ... there’s just a really good buzz around the campus," Boswell said, adding that because of the piglets, students get a chance to think about something other than their studies.
We have piglets! And look how cute they are #PigletRoom pic.twitter.com/7HvkKHe3D8— Nottingham Trent Uni (@TrentUni) May 27, 2015
As well as the seven micro-pigs, there's also a donkey, two goat kids, ducks and chickens. Students spend five minutes with the animals in groups of up to five people.
You got to be Kid-ding! Look who's at the City SU today! Don't forget to donate for @guidedogs @TrentRAG pic.twitter.com/LsOv67czxP— Nottingham Trent SU (@Trentstudents) May 28, 2015
Boswell said there's always an animal expert on hand supervising to ensure that the animal's welfare is being looked after.
As with last year, the students' union is not only using the effort to help students, but also to fundraise for the Guide Dogs Nottingham Mobility Team.
Afternoon nap time and a bit chilly! @Trentstudents #PigletRoom pic.twitter.com/Oi9Qdid1T4— micropigs (@petpiggies) May 27, 2015
Piggy procrastination ! @Trentstudents @petpiggies pic.twitter.com/jsmbcnC0Vi— Karen Lam (@111karenlam) May 27, 2015
When piglets invade NTSU #pigletroom #petpiggies pic.twitter.com/mw4SHJB2JU— Matthew Scrimshaw (@NTSUvpEDUCATION) May 27, 2015
Nottingham isn't the only university turning to animals to de-stress. Exeter University has also drafted in micro pigs, the University of Central Lancashire and Bristol University have turned to puppies, while Bath Spa University has a Shetland pony.