School Safety Dog Now a Part of Ohio District

School Safety Dog Now a Part of Ohio District's Security Plans

An Ohio school district will use a trained dog to help them detect weapons and other threats. The district is serving as a pilot for the area and the state.

  • By Sherelle Black
  • September 18, 2019

It is no secret that dogs can be trained to protect humans and are often used by police departments to help fight crime.

Garaway Local Schools in Ohio approved the use of a school safety dog at its Monday board meeting. The usage of a dog for school security in the district will be a pilot for the area and state.

“At Garaway Schools, the safety of each and every child within this community is our district’s highest priority. We are continually examining safety measures for our school district and looking for ways to improve,” Garaway Superintendent Dr. James Millet said in a press release. “At our Sept. 16 Board Meeting, the Board una nimously agreed to a contract for a school safety dog. Local tax dollars were not needed to fund this safety improvement.”

Although the dog will be able to detect weapons and gunfire, Millet said it is unique as it will also serve as a therapy dog. The dog will be trained to be friendly around students and be able to be integrated into any school culture.

“We believe a dog provides the fastest possible response to an active threat,” stated Superintendent Millet in the release.

Skool Dogs Inc., which has been in business for nearly 100 years, is training the dog. The Dutch Shepherd, is expected to be turned over to the district in December.

Garaway School Safety Official Jason Wallick will be responsible for the dog.

“The safety and security of our students is the number one priority of my job and this is an excellent added measure in protecting our most valuable assets,” Wallick told the Times Reporter. “I am blessed to work for a district that will not ignore the safety issues faced in our society and will respond by adding a leading edge improvement like this school dog.”

Trained dogs normally cost about $25,000, but the district was able to get a $10,000 discount, reported the Times Reporter.

District officials expect the dog will be able to serve for 10 years.

About the Author

Sherelle Black is a Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

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