Little piggy is emotional therapy pet

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (CNN/WSVN) - A South Florida family has won a battle to keep a pet pig.

We're not talking about just any pig; the animal is a special friend to a little boy named Kason Ray.

"She calms him down when he's very agitated. He does get very agitated easily,” said Heather Ray, Kason’s mother. “She helps as a calming effect to him. She gives him the acceptance that not all special needs people really get in our society, unfortunately."

She is six pounds and totally housebroken -- uses the cat litter. And now she is an official emotional therapy animal for her pal Kason, who was born with Down syndrome.

"I think that's the most important thing for me as a mother to see him get that unconditional love and acceptance,” said Heather.

A dog or a cat were out of the question because Kason's dad has severe allergies. Miniature pigs, however, are hypoallergenic.

But two months ago, the fight started at city hall.

"City ordinance does not allow pigs as pets,” said Coral Springs City Attorney Bob Goehrig. “Pigs are considered livestock."

Two months later, the threat of $500-a-day fines is finally gone -- thanks to a doctor's prescription for a Juliana pig. Twinkie can officially stay.