Playing it Safe

COMMUNITY BY: PAIGE UHR

Playing it Safe

Moore Schools to be First in State to Establish Canine Program A fter experiencing a heightened period of bomb threats a few years ago and witnessing the uptick in school shootings around the country, Moore Public Schools will be the first district in Oklahoma to use a weapon detecting canine to protect its students and facilities.

In other words, a bomb dog and its handler will be walking through the district’s hallways within a matter of months, school officials say.

Dustin Horstkoetter, director of security and safety at Moore Public Schools, has been developing the program for about a year. Acquiring a weapons dog is not uncommon, he said. They are widely used by school districts in Texas, Nevada and California, justto name a few.

Horstkoetter connected with the Houston K9 Academy, an agency that specializes in acquiring and training canines for law enforcement, military and private security. Shortly after that, he and district leadership made the decision to move forward with his plan.

“Our leadership team is next level, and we made a next level decision,” Horstkoetter said. “Dr. Romines is constantly moving the bar forward, and I’m so thankful for his forward thinking.”

Originally, the district selected Horstkoetter to serve as the canine handler, and he was scheduled to begin training with a dog in August.

However, district officials determined the responsibilities of a dog handler would need to be a full-time job, so the project was briefly put on hold until the district’s board of directors could approve a new position at a meeting this fall.

They are now in the process of hiring a new handler, and Horstkoetter is confident they will have someone selected in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Houston K9 Academy is searching for the best breed and dog to fit with the district. The dog, either a Vizsla or German Short Haired Pointer, will come from Europe and be 12 to 14 months old when the handler begins training. Before the handler arrives, the dog will be imprinted on all odors related to weapons – guns, ammunition, bombs and anything related.

Once the dog is ready and the handler is hired, both will spend four weeks of intensive training at the academy. The handler will work on canine safety and care, obedience training, search patterns, detection dog training and safe handling of weapons and explosives. Horstkoetter is confident the dog will be in district schools by the start of school this January.

Day in and day out, the handler will continually work on maintenance and training. The duo will be in schools, parking lots and both the interior and exterior of campuses within the district. They will also be present at school functions including events and games.

In addition to its main functions, the dog will also be used in a public relations role. Horstkoetter foresees the dog having lots of interaction with younger students. The handler and canine will visit students around the district for education related to violence and safety precautions.

Having a specially trained canine in Moore supports Horstkoetter’s ultimate goal of keeping children safe. He is thankful that Moore is a community that holds the same standards.

“We are so happy to have a supportive community that stands for our children and schools,” Horstkoetter said. “Protecting them is our highest priority.” – BSM