Ste. Genevieve County R-II has welcomed a new four-legged member to the Dragon family: K9 Grisco “Gris”, a dual-purpose K-9 who will support student and staff well-being while also strengthening the district’s ongoing school safety and drug prevention efforts.
The SG R-II Board of Education recently approved the establishment of the district’s new dual-purpose K-9 program following a proposal from School Resource Officer Nick Cusanelli. Through the program, Gris will serve in two distinct roles: as a therapy-style dog interacting with students and staff throughout the district and as a trained narcotics detection K-9.
SRO Cusanelli traveled to Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania to select Gris and begin the process of bringing the program to SG R-II. Since then, Cusanelli and Gris have completed extensive training together, including narcotics detection, obedience, tracking and article searches.
On Oct. 12, Cusanelli and Gris received certification as a team through the North American Police Work Dog Association in narcotics detection and article searches. They are continuing to work toward additional certifications in obedience and tracking.
Gris is trained to detect the odors of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and heroin. During narcotics training, Gris learned to recognize each individual odor through a detailed imprinting process before progressing to searches in a variety of environments.
Some of that training took place locally at Ste. Gen Towing, where narcotics training aids were hidden in vehicles throughout the lot. Cusanelli and Gris then worked together to systematically search the vehicles and identify those containing the target odors. Training in different environments helps prepare the team to work efficiently and accurately in real-world settings.
As part of the district’s comprehensive school safety efforts, Gris will be used for proactive narcotics detection throughout SG R-II, including school-wide and smaller-scale sweeps at the middle school and high school. The program is intended to serve as another prevention and deterrence tool as the district works to maintain safe, drug-free learning environments.
Just as importantly, Gris will have a much different role during his day-to-day time in SG R-II schools.
The district plans for Gris to receive additional training and earn the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen certification to support his work as a therapy-style dog. In this role, Gris can interact with students and staff, provide a calming presence and help build positive connections between students and the district’s School Resource Officer program.
Gris has already begun making those connections. He has met members of the district’s Dragon Advisory Team and Leadership Team and has spent time meeting students and staff throughout SG R-II buildings.
By combining student and staff support with proactive narcotics detection, the district hopes Gris can serve as both a positive presence in SG R-II schools and another resource in the district’s comprehensive approach to school safety.