K-9 training program expands to engage active shooters in schools

VINELAND, New Jersey (WPVI) — Joe Nick has skilled police Okay-9 canines to smell out medication and bombs, however now that coaching consists of educating college canines to scent ammo, weapons and even interact an energetic shooter.

The coaching has now develop into one other stage of safety at some faculties in South Jersey.

Each college day, Okay-9 Meadow patrols the hallways of Cumberland County Technical Training Middle in Vineland.

The Dutch Shepherd protects some 800 college students. They aren’t allowed to pet her, however can provide the occasional excessive 5.

“She’s skilled to detect the odor of gun powder,” stated campus security officer, Stephen Manera. “She’s additionally skilled for, God forbid, is somebody taking pictures within the college. She’s skilled to take me to the gunshots. As I assess what is going on on, I launch her and he or she’s skilled to interact the shooter.”

Meadow graduated from the Atlantic County Okay-9academy in 2019. She’s named after Meadow Pollack, a teen killed within the Parkland college taking pictures in 2018.

“That little woman deserved recognition. Even within the face of hazard, she tried to alter another person’s life by serving to them,” stated Joe Nick, Okay-9 Coaching Director.

That tragedy, together with a sequence of faculty shootings throughout the nation, is what impressed Joe to begin this program, making meadow the primary college canine by means of academy.

“I felt that if I may practice a canine that might save only one little one, we might win,” he stated.

Superintendent of Faculties Dina Rossi says this added one other layer of safety at faculties.

“Now we have all our officers who’re armed, so that is simply the subsequent step in creating the subsequent layer of campus security,” she stated.

It is like having one other set of eyes and ears, however with 4 paws.

“Simply her presence right here and there, I consider the youngsters really feel safer,” stated Stephen.

Meadow additionally patrols Rowan Neighborhood Faculty and Higher Deerfield college

Joe Nick says he believes canines like Meadow will assist save lives and hopes this she would be the first of many in faculties which can be skilled to reply to an energetic shooter.