The Union is to host a petting zoo to help students de-stress in the final weeks of term.

The project is part of the Student Advice Centre’s ‘Space to Relax’ campaign, designed to help students unwind during the busy exam period.

The animals that are likely to be involved will be rabbits, ducks and chickens. Larger animals such as snakes, lizards and meerkats are also planned. There will also be a few pens with smaller exotic mammals such as skinny pigs, ground squirrels, and chinchillas.

Any other animals provided will depend on availability at the time and weather conditions.

The two days will also feature events such as animal handling, feeding times, talks given by animal keepers, grooming and photo opportunities.

Welfare Officer Katie Siddall said: “The prospect of getting a petting zoo on campus this year is incredibly exciting, especially because it is a known fact that petting cute animals has a positive impact on a person’s wellbeing.”

Education Officer Josh Smith added: “I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. The ducklings and skinny pigs had better happen or I might cry.”

Ed Elliot, LUU’s Activities Officer, described the event as “mentally and physically stimulating”.

The petting zoo will to be held outside the Union on Wednesday 22 and Thursday May 23. It will run from 10am to 4pm on both days.

The Union’s end of term master plan follows in the footsteps of a similar initiative introduced at the University of Edinburgh, reported in last week’s Leeds Student.

The idea has been met with approval from students.

One said: “This sounds like a great idea. With exams and dissertation deadlines just around the corner, many students are in a state of panic and constant stress so the idea of a petting zoo sounds very therapeutic.”

Another told this newspaper: “It’s reassuring to see the Union looking out for students’ mental health during exam time. But I would like to know how much it costs. I hope this isn’t some expensive populist gimmick.”

Words: Phil Mann and Indranil Chaudhury