A SUPPORT dog has been brought in to a Christchurch school in a bid to boost results, behaviour and those struggling with emotional issues.

Ruby, the Grange School dog, has been carefully selected by staff at the school for her calm and gentle demeanour and quiet behaviour.

The King Charles Cavalier, who is just 16 weeks old, is being trained to work with young people on a one-to-one basis as a support dog.

Dogs trained in this manner will work with teenagers and have a calming effect on the children.

Head teacher Jane Asplin said that research has shown having a dog in a school can have many positive benefits, including improving academic achievement, motivating children to improve attentiveness and teaching responsibility.

She said: "In addition, a support dog can help teenagers through difficult times in their lives, those with anxiety or depression, those at risk and those with social deprivation.

"Being around a calm, loving dog generally makes people happy even if they are not dog people.

"That is a lot to ask of a puppy so for the time being her contact with students will be limited until she begins training.

"It is also not intended that she will be a negative distraction."