ANXIOUS Scots students have signed up in their hundreds for destressing sessions – with a pair of alpacas.
The South American animals are normally found grazing at high altitude among the wide open spaces of the Andes.
But tomorrow (fri) two alpacas will travel to Scotland’s biggest city to help calm the nerves of students at Glasgow University.
Dogs and cats have previously been used to try to help frazzled undergraduates cope with their studies.
Alpacas are now being used because their natural “cool” transmits itself to frantic students. So far, 1,000 undergraduates have signed up to the Facebook page “Alpacas on Campus”.
The llama-like creatures will be travelling from Netherfield Alpacas in South Larnarkshire for a three-and-a-half hour session with exam candidates.
A spokeswoman for Netherfield Alpacas said: “The student council contacted us to ask if we would come with the alpacas to help students de-stress during their exams – it’s a great idea.
“Alpacas are very calming animals, and I think that’s because they’re so relaxed themselves, and they project that out.
“They’ve been born and bred in Scotland and have been to shows where they’ve stood for hours in front of people, so they will be absolutely fine in central Glasgow.
“We’re bringing two alpacas, we haven’t decided exactly which ones but it’ll probably be Spirit, who is six, and Darcy, who is seventeen months.”
The Facebook event states: “For Raising And Giving Week 2017, building on the hugely successful Paws for Stress, Dogs on Campus event, the Student Representative Council and Raising and Giving committee are excited to bring you: Alpacas on campus!
“The Alpaca has been called the ‘cuter, quirkier and cooler’ cousin of the Llama and we’ve invited several of them along to campus for you to meet.
“What better excuse do you need to take a study break and de-stress than the chance to get up close and personal with these beautiful beasts?”
Writing on the event, one student wrote: “Alpaca my bags and meet you there yeah?”
To which a friend replied with an image of an alpaca with the caption: “An adventure? Alpaca my bags.”
Another added: “Birthday treat!”
Whilst one quipped: How much are the alpacas being paid, is it living wage?”
The event is scheduled for tomorrowo between 10.30am and 2pm, although an exact location has not yet been confirmed by the university.
Alpacas, although similar in appearance, are considerably smaller than llamas.
Their fiber is used for making knitted and woven items, such as blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, and ponchos in South America.
