He walks the halls of the school making it safe for students and staff. His training is intense and expensive. He wears his badge with pride. He comes to work every day as a member of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s force committed to keeping WISD safe.
His name is River, and he is the K9 officer on duty.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Alexander is assigned to the River’s handler. They have been together for two years and spend every day and night together.
“We bonded fairly well when we first met,” Alexander said. “When you first meet a dog, from that moment on you go home together, you spend time with each other.”
When coming upon a dog, people’s first instinct is to pet it. Because River is at work at school, students should always be careful and ask permission from the handler.
“You shouldn’t walk up to a K9 and just pet them,” Alexander said. “You have to ask because not all dogs are single purpose dogs. A dual purpose dog finds narcotics but also bites. Also never try to give the dog commands. Only the handler can give the dog commands.”
Some people may feel like a “working” dog is miserable while on the job. These dogs love their position because they play all day.
“A tennis ball is a treat for finding narcotics,” Alexander said. “In River’s mind when he smells and sits, the ball appears. He doesn’t usually see me throw the ball. Most cases I’ll get behind him and throw the ball. So in his eyes when he finds the drug, that’s when the ball appears.”
Training a dog like River is an expensive endeavor.
”When we purchased River it cost roughly $10,000 which includes both of our training,” Alexander said. “You have to go through a handler course. This includes finding the dog that meshes with you and then yall learn the process together. They train me to determine whether or not the dog is alert, to walk with the dog, and we become a team.”
River is just one tool used by law enforcement to make the school safer. He can detect narcotics, tobacco and other dangerous materials.
“Having a dog on campus is a deterrent,” Alexander said. “He’s a tool that we can utilize to try to eradicate narcotics in school.”
Although River is at work, he always loves when it is time to play. He can have fun while making the school a better place to be.
“I do know that a lot of students seem to enjoy him,” Alexander said. “I will let students throw a ball and let him chase it.”
