This sight is usually associated with rural areas – flocks of sheep happily graze on wide fields.

But introducing them to city centers and college campuses could help reduce stress among city dwellers, researchers say.

Over the past two years, about 25 sheep have been allowed to graze lawns in central areas of the University’s campus California.

And scientists have discovered that they do much more than just mow, fertilize and improve the ecosystem.

Four breeds of sheep – Suffolk, Hampshire, Southdown and Dorset – first took on this role in 2021, during the Covid pandemic.

They are fenced in, given access to clean water, and driven back and forth to home barns in the morning and evening on a trailer.

Researchers surveyed around 200 students and staff and found that those who walked past or studied near sheep were “significantly less likely to experience stress” – compared to people who had no contact with the animal at all.

They found that meeting animals helped improve people’s mental health and even proved to be a calming tonic before an exam.

Lead author Haven Kearse, associate professor of landscape architecture and leader of the sheep mower project, said: “It started as an experiment to test their mowing abilities, and now we’ve published research on how they make people feel peaceful. And Mina Bedon, a research assistant, explained: “A simple rest from a chaotic working day and mindless observation of the herd brought joy to many people.”

The team said their findings, published in The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, are important when students of all ages say they struggle with stress and mental health.

A spokesman for Britain’s National Sheep Association trade body said there was “no doubt” bringing sheep into urban areas would benefit people. But they warned of the risk of worrying about the dogs, stressing that the move would only be possible if the health and welfare of the sheep could be guaranteed.