When Chartered Psychologist Lindsay Corrigan’s daughters left for university, friends expected the house to fall quiet. The reality was rather different.
The 51-year-old from Bovingdon, Hertfordshire, shares her home with two dogs, three horses, and a particularly vocal cat, and says she was never short of noise or company. If anything, she admits, she felt more envy than sadness as her daughters set off on their new adventures.
“Hitting 50 with grown-up kids felt quite freeing,” Lindsay says. “I remember thinking, this is my time to fulfil a dream and have some fun.”
A lifelong vegetarian with a soft spot for pigs dating back to childhood, Lindsay was treated to a visit to Kew Little Pigs for her 50th birthday by her mum and her two daughters, Alexa, 21, and Darcy, 19. The three generations spent the day together, and it proved to be a joyful and memorable experience for them all.
“We all had such a lovely time,” Lindsay says. “Seeing my mum, my girls, and me all enjoying the pigs together made it really special.”
What was intended as a birthday outing quietly changed the course of her life.
“I’ve always loved pigs, their intelligence, their sensitivity, their humour,” she says. “Spending time with them properly just clicked something into place. It felt exciting rather than emotional.”
So taken was she by the animals that Lindsay approached the farm to ask whether her home might be suitable for adopting two of their pigs. The answer came with clear steps: education first, preparation second, pigs last.
That meant completing a pig-keeping course and waiting for professional fencing contractors to install a permanent enclosure. “I’m really glad I waited and had it done properly,” Lindsay laughs. “The fencing is incredibly solid, and that is so important with pigs.”
With guidance and support from Kew Little Pigs owner Olivia Mikhail, the family finally welcomed Sven and Stanley, two miniature pigs with very different outlooks on life.
“Olivia was fantastic,” Lindsay says. “She talked me through everything and reassured me constantly. It made the whole process feel achievable.”
The pigs wasted no time making themselves at home. Sven, the bolder of the pair, has developed a habit of positioning himself in doorways while Lindsay grooms her horses, patiently waiting for attention. Stanley, by contrast, is quieter and more domestic, spending hours collecting sticks and straw to build the perfect bed.
“He’s got the memory of an elephant,” Lindsay adds. “If I put them into a temporary grazing pen for a change of scenery, he’ll absolutely test it and occasionally make a cheeky escape. He knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Caring for the pigs has only reinforced Lindsay’s long-held beliefs. “I’ve always been vegetarian, but living alongside pigs, seeing their personalities and emotions up close, has confirmed everything I felt,” she says. “They’re funny, affectionate, and incredibly intelligent.”
The change has been felt across the family, with Alexa and Darcy now eagerly counting down the days to university holidays so they can spend time at home with the unexpected new additions.
“What started as a birthday treat turned into one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Lindsay says. “My life feels fuller, noisier, and far more joyful, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
If you would like to find out more about pig ownership email pigsales@kewlittlepigs.com
“I joined the team in September of 2021 as a Farm Hand. This was my first proper job and the experience was very insightful as working with animals there is never a dull moment. I have always loved animals and have had many different animals growing up such as guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs and horses so I knew the animal industry was a career I would like to be involved in. Since joining Kew Little Pigs Farm I have had the opportunity to care for the animals and share my knowledge with all the customers that have visited the farm. I was promoted to Head Farm Hand in January 2023.
I look forward to my journey here at Kew Little Pigs Farm and hope to see you on the farm soon!”
