Plainwell schools add Zebra K-9 team to detect firearms, ammunition and support students

PLAINWELL, Mich. — Plainwell Community Schools is enhancing students and staff security with a new safety dog team to detect ammunition and firearms in their schools.

The school district is the 10th in the state to employ Zebra K-9 safety dog teams.

Zebra K-9 is a Waterford, Michigan-based company, providing full-time onsite K9 teams to schools, hospitals, businesses, and events.

Ginny, a one-year-old yellow female Labrador Retriever, and her handler, Jean Freeman, will spend their time supporting each building across the district. Ginny will also serve as an emotional support dog for both students and staff.

"The reason we select labs for schools is most people see them as a pet, so, they're highly socialized, which allows them to get close to the students," Zebra K-9 CEO Greg Guidice said.

Plainwell Community School's newest safety dog team conducts locker checks at Plainwell High School. Ginny and her handler, Jean, will work full-time in the district as an added layer of safety for students and staff. (Barnes/WWMT)

Working alongside Plainwell Community Schools' Superintendent and School Resource Officer, Ginny and Jean will check doors and perimeters to ensure security and conduct sweeps and searches of classrooms and lockers.

"Having the safety dog team is a very passive way to detect weapons and other things and it gives us a chance for students to have a positive greeting when they enter the building with the dog," Plainwell Community Schools Superintendent Matt Montange said. "So, I think more than anything, we're excited to just kind of set the tone for the county and set the example."

In the event that Ginny detects a firearm or ammunition, Zebra K-9 would notify administration, who would conduct their own investigation and respond according to protocol.