ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) -- In the wake of the Oxford School shooting, administrators at schools across the state are looking at new ways to keep students and staff safe that doesn't involve metal detectors or armed teachers.
The answer to these safety issues could potentially be highly trained canines -- or K-9s, if you will. These dogs can be seen at airports and stadiums, sniffing out contraband and stopping tragedies before they can happen.
WWJ's Erin Vee spoke with CEO of Elite K-9 Detection, Greg Guidice, about his company and how his dog teams are becoming more prevalent at schools.
Greg Guidice, CEO of Elite K-9 Detection in Rochester hills, said they provide specially-trained mobile teams of handler and dogs that can go where metal detectors and cameras can't -- while providing comfort to students and staff.
Guidice said Elite K-9 has gotten several phone calls in the recent days from metro Detroit school administrators inquiring about the K-9 teams and how they deter crimes.
"The dog is proactive," said Guidice. "It could potentially prevent something from coming into the school. They're also a visual deterrent -- a student knows that this dog is capable of detecting a gun whether it's in a backpack or a locker."
The dogs have a very keen sense of smell -- trained to detect specific odors, like explosives and gunpowder. When a threat is detected the dog will sit to notify the handler, waiting to be rewarded with a toy.
"We as humans can detect a teaspoon of sugar in a cup of coffee," said Guidice. "The K-9s that we use can detect that same teaspoon of sugar in the amount of water that fills up two olympic sized pools."
One of the special K-9s showing of their skills on sniffing out specific smells and signaling to their handler when something is detected. Video credit Elite K-9 Detection
The K-9 team is also mobile and can go to places like parking lots, stadiums, perimeters of buildings and down hallways filled with lockers.
And they can do more than sniff and support -- the K-9 teams became part of the fabric of the school -- they're conversation starters, allowing kids to become more comfortable with telling the dog's handler when something is wrong, further deterring crime.
The average cost for a K-9 presence during school time is around $80,000 annually.
"The team is there every hour that the school is in session, or every hour that the kids are there," said Guidice.
To find out more about these dogs, check out their website.