It all started with a pig...
Founder and President Cara Hennessey has always had a love of animals, but nothing like the bond she shares with her first pig, named Clover, whom she got from a local farm in the summer of 2019. Completely unaware of what it took to take care of a pig, Cara took to online research and soon found out just how many "mini-pigs" end up abandoned or in rescues due to people being uneducated or lied to by breeders who claim they will stay small. There are no such things as "Teacup Pigs." The place Clover came from was very transparent on the size she might get (150-250lbs.) Cara determined she would give this pig the best life possible, not something that all pigs like her are so lucky to have.
Clover's Pig Preserve was founded in 2020 when the world began to shut down due to the Coronavirus. Cara wanted to create a place where pigs could have a loving forever home, where they could root, play and live with others like them. Sanctuaries across the country are overflowing with pigs and other farm animals. The pigs have since been relocated to Wolcott, Connecticut to a 50-acre property called Pillwillop Therapeutic Farm. Cara and her fiance Chris reside together nearby. Together they are the sole caregivers to all the pigs in their care.
Moving the pigs to Pillwillop Therapeutic Farm provided a unique opportunity for two non-profits to come together in a mutually beneficial partnership. Cara and Chris also use this opportunity to educate visitors about pigs and their uniqueness. The program has been very successful and the pigs have many daily visitors. This is not to mistake Clover's Pig Preserve as a petting zoo. We do not promote using the pigs as therapy or working animals, however, they are extremely social and love visitors so all counselors and staff at Pillwillop are trained to interact properly with our pigs to respect their boundaries. We do not allow anyone into the pig areas unless they have been properly trained.
Pigs are sensitive, emotional beings, and interacting with animals has been proven to lower anxiety and stress, provide comfort, and improve mood and general well-being. Letting people visit with our pigs is a therapeutic experience for everyone involved. However, the pigs' safety and well-being come first above all else.
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