A farm in Germany offers those who are deprived of human contact due to pandemic and the restrictions imposed, an unusual alternative: the opportunity to hug a sheep.

«We have wonderful sheep here who love visitors,» said Lexa Foss, who has organised an education programme at the farm, near Hatingen in western Germany, to encourage people to get closer to the animals. «I allow people to visit the sheep unchaperoned and have a good time with them in nature, away from masks and social distances,» she explained.

Visitors must make an appointment, but are allowed to get as close as they want to the woolly sheep. The «sessions» are free, although they are encouraged to make a donation to the farm.

Therese Pfeffer said she enjoyed her interaction with the animals. «For now we are avoiding getting close to each other. We are always at a distance,» she said. «To be honest, I always walk past the sheep pastures and they run away. But here it's very different. It's wonderful,» he added