BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Gary Corneer wasn't so sure about adopting Gunny, but agreed to meet the then 3-year-old chocolate Lab.

Gunny came to an animal shelter near Roundup from an abused home, and while Corneer had hesitations, the dog knew what he wanted.

"He jumped right into my arms, took the treat and jumped in my truck," said Corneer, a dean of students at Bozeman High School.

Right off, the dog became a fixture in the high school, with a doorless kennel in the shop where Corneer taught woodworking and construction. That was six years ago.

As Corneer moved to the school's administrative side, Gunny's fate wasn't questioned.

"I just assumed when they hired me, they hired Gunny as well," he said.

Gunny now spends school days on a faded dog bed next to the desk in Corneer's office. He wears an official Bozeman High staff badge. And on picture day, he even has his mug taken for the yearbook.

"Every once in a while they'll slip him into the faculty section" of the yearbook, Corneer said.

Gunny's role in the high school is unofficial, yet it's evident on the face of every student who bends down to say hello - and most of them do.

Some students greet the dog enthusiastically, then, as almost an afterthought, say, "Hi, Mr. Corneer."

Other students, who wouldn't know Corneer from the night janitor, nevertheless know his dog and stop in the halls to give Gunny a hug or scratch his ears.

"Gunny is everyone's friend," Corneer said.

The dog plays a vital role in opening the lines of communication with students, Librarian Rita Kroon said. She has seen Gunny do some of his best work with students who are hesitant.

"They'll be looking at Gunny and talking to Gary," she said.

Gunny also has the ability to dissolve tense situations with students where adults, especially those in positions of authority, may fail.

Once, a student was having what Corneer described as the worst day possible. The girl was understandably distressed.

"I thought she was going to get violent," he said.

With his human caught up in the moment, Gunny crossed the room and put his head in the girl's lap, leaning against her. His actions helped diffuse the anger.

"He just has a calming effect," Corneer said.

Kroon said Gunny brings to mind the crisis team dogs, which are brought into schools to help the healing following horrendous events.

"They know hugging a dog can make a difference to a kid that's healing," she said.

"Gunny does that daily."

The staff, too, has a soft spot for Gunny's nuzzles and many of them keep a stash of treats on hand for when he comes to visit.

In a society of increasing rules and restrictions, Corneer knows the day may come that Gunny has to stay home. He makes a concerted effort to ask students who have allergies or are afraid of dogs to let him know that. No one ever has.

So for now, Gunny's "grandfathered in."

"I like to think I do a good job, but he has really just been an ambassador for us," Corneer said. "He doesn't earn a salary, but he sure earns his keep."