EXAMS can be a stressful business.

But the University of Winchester has just the remedy for students feeling the strain of late-night revision sessions and those all-important final year papers.

Their secret weapon, revealed on Wednesday (May 15), is a golden Labrador named Tess.

Tess’s owner, Charlie Mackay, a placement co-ordinator at the university, said: “It’s well know that dogs are good at providing stress relief and some members of staff here at the university suggested it might be a good idea to have a canine therapy room here during exams.

“It’s been absolutely amazing. I’ve been really surprised. We’ve had a regular flow of students come in, sit on the floor and just spend time with her. There have been so many comments as to how Tess has made them feel.

“Lots of the students have said ‘can she come and sit in our exam room with us?’, but I think she’d be a bit of a distraction!”

Whilst it is Tess’s first shift at the university, she is an old pro when it comes to stress-busting, as she is a registered ‘Pets as Therapy’ dog.

“She has been assessed for working in environments such as nursing homes, or hospitals, or special needs schools.

“She’s absolutely loving it. She is a very calm dog and so she has just really enjoyed the attention,” Charlie said.

The University of Aberdeen and Harvard Medical School already run similar schemes and students at Winchester would like to see more of the same.

Second-year sports science student, Adam Clarke, 21, said: “When it comes to crunch time, you’re staring at a computer screen all day and it’s also nice to have a bit of feeling of home sometimes as well.”

Christina Course, a third year business management student, is in the middle of her exams.

She said: “I had an exam earlier in the morning, so to come afterwards and get to stroke a dog was lovely.”