Meet Gemini: The dog keeping students safe in Williamston Community Schools

              Detection and emotional support dog Gemini and her handler, Emily Weaver, sit inside an empty                         classroom at Williamston Middle School. Photo: Lucas Henkel/’Gander Newsroom

By Lucas Henkel

November 15, 2024

With incidents of gun violence increasing across the county, communities in Michigan are finding innovative ways to keep students safe. 

Since joining the staff during the 2022-2023 school year, Gemini, a 3-year-old black lab, has become more than just a crucial part of the detection and emotional support dog team at Williamston Community Schools—she’s become a beloved part of the community.

“I don’t know what it is, but she just comforts me and I feel safe with her,” said Aliya, a seventh grader at Williamston Middle School, speaking to The ‘Gander. 

She’s not alone—Aliya said that she’s seen her classmates acting more comfortable at school, too.

“I’ve noticed a lot more kids in my school are happy knowing that there’s an animal in the school that is comforting. They can let their guard down knowing that they’re safe with Gemini,” she said. 

Gemini provides more than just a calming presence. She’s one of the increasing number of firearm and explosive detection dogs that Waterford-based canine security company Zebra K9 has deployed in school districts across Michigan. 

While the initial focus of the program was to detect firearms, Zebra K9 founder and CEO Greg Guidice said that his team underestimated the social-emotional component of having the dogs in schools. 

“It speaks to the ability of the dog and the versatility of what they can provide,” Guidice said. 

Through rigorous training, dogs in the Zebra K9 program can identify highly specific scents, including explosive materials, narcotics, and other dangerous substances. 

“I think it’s reassuring to the teachers and all of our staff that we know that we have [Gemini] here in the event we need something checked out,” said Deb LaFleur, principal of Williamston Middle School. 

Successful programs like Zebra K9 have been popping up all over the US. In Texas, at least 30 guns were found by firearm-detecting dogs in Dallas-Fort Worth schools during the 2023-2024 school year. 

Williamston Community Schools superintendent, Adam Spina, said that having Gemini around as a “walking metal detector” has given parents some peace of mind—and helped foster an inviting and safe environment for students at school. 

“I think Gemini is a great example of how you can significantly enhance school safety while simultaneously continuing to foster a positive and inviting culture within your schools,” said Spina.

“At the end of the day, it’s a school—it’s a place for kids, for laughter, and for having great experiences.”