Providing university students with dogs during exams would help lower stress levels and help them do their best in tests, a new study has concluded.

Some institutions in Britain have already welcomed therapy dogs on to their campuses, including Leeds City College, which last week unveiled its 12-week-old cockapoo puppy called Jeffrey.

But it was unclear if the animals were actually doing any good.

Now a study by the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, has found that when students are allowed to pay with and cuddle therapy dogs their stress levels plummet, and energy and happiness increase.

They suggest the dogs should be brought in during exam times to help teenagers cope with the pressure.

“The results were remarkable,” said Dr Stanley Coren, study co-author and professor emeritus of psychology at UBC.

“We found that, even 10 hours later, students still reported slightly less negative emotion, feeling more supported, and feeling less stressed, compared to students who did not take part in the therapy dog session.”