Written by and with photos by Tanya Terry
A unique safety measure is being discussed for schools in Genesee County and has began being utilized full time at Mt. Morris consolidated schools.
To strengthen school safety measures, support mental health and foster a positive environment, Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools has welcomed a few new team members this school year: Rooster, a 2-year-old male reddish lab, along with his handler Matt Shook, and Oakley, a 1-1/2-year-old male black lab, and his handler Emily Dice.
These full-time onsite safety dog teams focus on detecting harmful substances, including narcotics and vape pens, firearms and explosives, while also providing a unique form of social/emotional support to students, teachers, administrators and parents. They spend most of their time at the middle school and high school but also visit each school across the district.
Rooster and OakleyThe Courier recently visited Mt. Morris Middle School to meet the dogs and see how the staff and the students are feeling about their ability to keep them safe while in on school property.
Superintendent Mickie Kujat said she researched safety dogs prior to the district inviting them to be there full time. She has heard of other schools in the county utilizing safety dogs, though not full time.
“During our superintendents’ meetings I have heard the positivity that has brought to their school community, and it’s something I wanted to bring to our district as well,” Kujat added.
She was able to secure about $80,000 in grant funds per dog to have the dogs in the schools full time.
Courtney Gustafson, principal of Mt. Morris Middle School, noted there is a rise in vaping with teens, whether through tobacco use or THC use.
“So, there has been a concern over the last few years of the increase of peer pressure that’s on teens,” Gustafson stated. “So, when I learned the safety dogs are two-folded – we have firearms and explosives, but they also can detect vapes, THC, tobacco – just knowing that we want what’s best for kids, that created a lot of curiosity because we do want to get ahead of that.”
Gustafson also said there is an increase in school shootings, and there has been a concern about that.
“I just don’t have the experience of seeing it in our schools,” she said. “So, the concern is there because we are seeing through the media things that are happening in the world. But, within our community, we were seeing an increase with vapes and things like that. So, the vapes were relatively very high on my concern list.”
Each year, a speaker has come to Mt. Morris Middle School to talk about the effects of vaping.
“We know students follow rules, but sometimes they need help with the why. So, we’re educating students now on the dangers and the things things like tobacco and THC can do to your lungs.”
The district also participates in OK to say, in which if a person has a tip on a vape, gun or even bullying, there is an anonymous tip line.
“I think the dogs have made school more inviting. I think students are excited to come because every morning they’re greeted by either Rooster or Oakley, and they are dismissed every day by either Rooster or Oakley. They feel safe. They feel loved, and now ultimately they can learn and do what schools are challenged for them to do.”
Zebra K9 President/CEO Greg Guidice stated Zebra K9 reaches out to all school districts in Michigan to make them aware of the service that’s available. They are currently in about 60 schools statewide. When he reached out to the superintendent of Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools last spring, she was “very intrigued.” She asked Zebra K9 to make a presentation to the board, who the company did a demonstration with the dogs for. As a result, Zebra K9 was given a contract for the two dogs to work in the schools within the district throughout the school year, which started in the fall.
Guidice pointed out the safety dogs are a solution for schools to have increased safety and well as to a way for help students experience better mental health, which is a plus when school districts have tight budgets.
Although he said Mt. Morris is the first district in Genesee County to have the safety dogs full time, he is hopeful other schools in the county will be inspired.
“And we see that – all other things being equal – where the students will go to a school when they have a choice because of the safety dog teams and that added benefit,” added Guidice.
Guidice explained the dogs detect the scent, sit at lockers in which the scent is detected and wait for their “treat,” which is usually a toy.
13-year-old Tyler Mitchell said although he wasn’t really very afraid of firearms and explosives being in the school, he feels even more safe with the dogs in the school.
“They’re loveable, and they protect us,” he said.
Mitchell said he has been educated on the harm vaping can cause, as well.
“It’s not good for you because you don’t live longer and it messes with your breathing,” he added.
11-year-old Mia Felts in the sixth grade at Mt. Morris.
She said she has been afraid of firearms and explosives before.
“But once I met the dogs, I felt happy and protected,” she said, smiling.
