Amidst the heatwave, Sheffield University medical students were visited by animals from Heeley Park Farm today (Thursday 1st May). 

The visit saw chickens, goats and guinea pigs, descend on the Medical School.

Students had the opportunity to pre book a slot to interact with the animals in a number of ways, including feeding and petting them, and even playing music to attract the goats.

The visit was a “wellbeing event for medical students,” according to senior university teacher Joanne Thompson. 

Dr Thompson added: “The idea is that people have a bit of time out of their day to enjoy feeding and petting the animals.

“There’s a lot of evidence to suggest that there’s a therapeutic benefit to petting the animals so that’s why we do it.”

The Sheffield School of Medicine and Population Health has links to Heeley Park Farm through their social accountability project, which is led by Dr Thompson and is unique to the University of Sheffield. 

The project sees all year three medical students volunteer in local organisations and charities, with some students volunteering at Heeley Park Farm, working with both young people and those with dementia. 

The visit was also part of the university’s “One University” initiative, with the aim of “inclusive, supportive and collaborative environment in which they can succeed and flourish,” according to the university website.