Companies around the country also use the animals, according to Kramer. Kramer said her company recommends twice-monthly unannounced visits to school buildings. Kramer said her role is to gather evidence in random searches, working independently of law enforcement agencies and school resource officers. Once the dog gives a sign it recognizes contraband, Kramer said she doesn't search a locker or car without a student's permission, and the student is always present if his or her property is searched. The dogs aren't allowed to be used to sniff out contraband on people.
Evidence is bagged and turned over to school administrators.
Tammy Glover of Northampton, mother of school-age children, watched Trese go through her paces. Glover said she had no opinion on the value of a drug-sniffing dog, but she added it's important that her kids can go to school without fear of exposure to drugs or violence. If they see they're serious, maybe all this stuff will stop. An eighth-grade student at the junior high in Holland said he suspected there would be little for a dog to find in his building. If they do get caught, they get suspended for a long time.