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Chambersburg Area SD introduces rescue K-9 "Gunner" for school safety and education
Summary
The district introduced a recently acquired K-9 narcotics detector, a rescue dog named Gunner, trained for narcotics detection and planned school visits. Officers described training, certifications, community donations and plans for classroom demonstrations.
The Chambersburg Area School District heard a presentation April 22 introducing “Gunner,” a rescue dog certified for narcotics detection, and the district’s new K-9 program. Officers and administrators described training, community donations, and plans to use the dog both for targeted searches and for student-facing educational programs.
Officer Will Confer, the dog’s handler, told the board the dog was obtained through Sector K9 and trained for narcotics detection. “He is 3, almost 4 years old … He is trained in narcotics detection, and he can detect heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana,” Confer said. Confer explained that Gunner completed training in Texas and that certification for marijuana detection was added shortly before the team arrived back in the district.
Confer described Gunner’s typical alert behavior: a change in behavior that might present as the dog laying down and staring at the area of the scent, sitting to point to a high location, or standing motionless in a confined space. “His normal alert, he’ll lay down and he’ll stare at the area where he believes the scent is coming from,” Confer said.
Chief Carter and Superintendent Mr. Bigger said the program was funded in part by grants and community donations. Confer named several local donors who provided support: Diamond Dog Food Company (food), Franklin Hardware (assistance securing donations), and the local nonprofit Protection for Paws (veterinary services and equipment donations). Confer described community outreach plans, including demonstrations in elementary and secondary schools and controlled visits to gym and cafeteria settings; he emphasized that searches are done by request and that staff must call the handler team to arrange searches.
Board members asked about how students react to Gunner and about how the dog signals alerts. Confer said students have responded positively but cautioned that petting is not allowed in large crowds to avoid stressing the dog. He said Gunner will continue monthly training (16 hours per month) and that the dog is scheduled for recertification in June. The administration and officers said the program aims to deter drug use and to provide positive interaction between students and officers through educational demonstrations.
No formal board action was recorded on the K-9 presentation; the item was informational.
Why it matters: The district’s K-9 program combines safety operations (targeted searches by trained handlers) with school-based outreach. The presentation outlined community support, training and planned recertification, all of which determine how and where the dog will be deployed.
