University stress is no secret, with one in four British students experiencing difficulties with emotional wellbeing during their time as an undergrad. Which might be why institutions are taking greater steps to help students to de-stress and putting a focus on mental health, especially during exam season.

Step forward, the University of East Anglia's (UEA) new initiative, which involves funding dog-walking programmes to help students to relax during stressful periods. Dog! Walking! Programmes! This is amazing.

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These are just some of the good doggos who joined us today for our very first Wednesday dog walk, as part of @ueasport's 'Navigate Norfolk' student #wellbeing programme with @UnionUEA and @ueasu_dsd! pic.twitter.com/XIG38OKXKD — UEA (@uniofeastanglia) January 16, 2019

Per Save The Student, the university recently received £12,000 worth of funding as part of a student wellbeing initiative to help create opportunities for physical activity, with part going towards organised dog-walks.

Professor Andy Jones from Norwich Medical School, who conducted research on pet therapy, told The Telegraph that pet are a brilliant way to improve not only your physical wellbeing, but mental too. He said:

"Our studies have shown that dog walking helps people to maintain their physical activity levels. In addition it is known that there is wide range of social and mental health benefits."

Giphy

Phil Steele, director of sport and commercial services at the university, added:

"Many students live far away from their family homes and pets, so having contact with animals can be stress-relieving for them. We also hope to reduce some of the stigma which still surrounds mental health and raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity for mental wellbeing."

Students are being encouraged to join the dog walks with their own pets on Cromer Beach and Thetford Forest, while dogs are being lent to the university by academics and local owners, in an attempt to reduce anxiety and decrease feelings of stress among exam takers.

Brilliant.

Dusty Baxter-Wright Senior Entertainment & Lifestyle Writer Dusty Baxter-Wright is Cosmopolitan's Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer, covering celebrities, movies, TV and books as well as travel, interiors, food and drink on a daily basis.

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