Physiotherapist Daan Vermeulen (standing) helps an elderly woman to pet his pig Felix in a senior care facility on April 12, 2011 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Vermeulen uses Felix, whom he has specially trained, to provide emotional therapy for the elderly and for handicapped children. He claims contact with the pig stimulates curiosity, activity and even alertness among elderly people and helps them to awaken from the passivity that often sets in as they become older. Vermeulen says he helps those patients who react with fear to the pig to channel the emotion into a positive experience. (Photo by Ralph Orlowski/Getty Images)