ALI the curly coated retriever, is a much more than a four-legged friend – she is a stress buster.

The seven-year-old dog helped to bring calm as she visited students at the University of Bolton’s halls of residence in Orlando Village, Thynne Street.

It was part of the university’s week of activities to support Mental Health Awareness Week.

Ali belongs to Fiona Valentine, disability manager at the University of Bolton’s student services department.

She has two curly coated retrievers — Ali and Zara — and both are Pet As Therapy (PAT) dogs.

They regularly visit students at both the university and Bolton College, which is due to merge with the university in August.

Fiona says they have a huge effect on reducing students’ stress levels.

Fiona explained: “We are always looking to do new things in the department and we had been thinking about introducing therapy dogs, but at the same time I had been looking at it personally, so we thought why not kill two birds with one stone and have my dog Zara assessed.

“She passed with flying colours and more recently Ali has also been assessed. They are both very calm and love attention and being stroked.

“They have the perfect nature and that is one of the things that helps to alleviate students’ stress.

“They sit with the students and it is amazing to see the effect they have. We have had students who have disclosed all manner of issues they weren’t planning to because they feel OK talking to a dog.

“Students are often stressed, particularly at exam times and when workloads are high and these sessions help to totally relax them. Others have even got over their fear of dogs through the sessions.”

Fiona believes the University of Bolton is the only university with a member of staff who owns PAT dogs that regularly visit the university and halls.

She said: “This means that we can respond instantly if there is an incident that distresses students. The day after the Manchester bombing last year, I brought Zara in to the university and the college.

“They said it was fantastic that we able to bring her along so quickly.”

Student Neisha Harris said the dogs have helped her enormously.

She said: “‘Zara is majestic, she always cheers me up.”