A woman's idea to open a professional cuddling service has become an instant success, with her email account being flooded with a shocking 10,000 requests in the span of a week, The Independent reported.
At Cuddle Up To Me, customers can spend $60 for an hour's worth of hugging, cuddling and spooning with professional snuggler Samantha Hess.
"Beyond food and shelter, physical touch is the most basic need we have," reads one testimonial on the website. "Thousands of people have no one to hold or comfort them. Samantha Hess provides a service that promises to ease loneliness, overcome depression and promote happiness."
Located in Portland, Ore., the shop also offers hour-long sessions of platonic touching that include hair strokes, hand-holding and a range of different cuddle positions, Hess said, describing the practice as "the level of human contact that we want or need in order to be our optimal selves."
Since the business, which Hess stresses is no way adult-oriented, has received such an overwhelming response, Hess has been forced to hire three other cuddlers because she wasn't able to handle all of the requests by herself, according to UK Mirror.
"This business has taken off," Hess told Fox 12. "I've gotten as many as 10,000 emails in a week."
Recounting her decision to start this service, Hess claims she was at a very low point in her life when the idea of becoming a professional cuddler came to her.
"I was at a place where I thought paying someone to hug me and not have ulterior motives sounded like a great idea," she added. "I decided why can't this be a thing that we can easily and safely reach for?"
To ensure safety of both the cuddler and the cuddled, sessions are taped and the clients are asked to sign a waiver agreeing they will be clean, courteous and will keep their clothes on.
Additionally, talking is optional and clients are encouraged to wear pajamas.
"After meeting Samantha Hess, I feel so much better," said Steve from Vancouver in a testimonial.
"Our cuddle time gave me a different outlook on life. I had no idea what I was missing. I am a big fan now and look forward to our next session. She is encouraging, kind and sincere."
Meanwhile, similar businesses have set up shop as the trend of cuddling has grown into a cottage industry over the past decade.
