Monica German Prestia is the founder of Stefani Style Inc, a NYC boutique digital media agency. With over 20 years of experience as a Fortune 500 global media sales executive, she now leads branding, marketing, business development, and PR for clients in tech, hospitality, real estate, and more, helping them elevate their presence and growth.
Preventing school shootings requires innovative approaches to ensure the safety of students and staff. Skool Dogs, a visionary organization that integrates highly trained K9s into educational settings to detect firearms, respond to gunfire, and mitigate threats. With over 1700 school shootings in the last decade, this program fills critical gaps in traditional security measures, offering schools an effective and affordable solution. These four-legged heroes, alongside expert handlers, foster secure learning environments while seamlessly integrating into daily school life. Skool Dogs’ mission is clear: to protect lives and create safer spaces, one school at a time.
Skool Dogs: Redefining school safety with four-legged heroes
In a world where the safety of students and educators is paramount, innovative solutions are essential. With over 1700 school shootings on school campuses in the past 10 years, Skool Dogs provide a critical layer in protecting children in schools and any other facility that needs protection.
I recently met with the founders of Skool Dogs, a trailblazing organization that has redefined school security by integrating highly trained K9s into educational settings to prevent and mitigate active shooter scenarios. With a patented program designed to detect firearms, ammunition, and respond to gunfire in the right direction, these specially trained dogs are not just guardians but vital partners in fostering secure learning environments.
The genesis of Skool Dogs
The founders of Skool Dogs, Joseph Nicholas, Brandon Womack and Senior Advisor Asa W. Anderson III, recognized a significant gap in school safety measures. Traditional approaches, such as increased police presence or arming teachers, faced logistical and ethical challenges. With decades of experience in law enforcement, K9 training, and active shooter response planning, they envisioned a proactive solution: K9s capable of not only detecting potential threats but also intervening when danger arises.
Skool Dogs operates a state-of-the-art training facility in New Jersey, and their K9s are actively deployed across various states to protect schools, communities, and large-scale events. This nationwide presence demonstrates their commitment to creating safer spaces and their ability to adapt to diverse security needs.
“Our mission is simple but critical—protecting lives through innovative, less lethal means,” explains Womack. “Skool Dogs bridges the gap between prevention and response, providing schools with an affordable, effective layer of security.” The founders’ combined experience spans more than 60 years in training patrol and detection K9 Teams. All founders and advisors of Skool Dogs are experts in extensive law enforcement, K9 and active shooter training, plus experience in the development of K9 Patrol Training for the NJ State Police.
Meet the heroes: Meadow, Sailor, Colby and Tucker
At the heart of Skool Dogs’ program are its four-legged heroes—highly trained, purpose-driven dogs like Meadow, Sailor, Colby and Tucker. These K9s are more than security assets; they are beloved members of the school communities they serve.
Meadow
A gentle yet vigilant Dutch Shepherd, is known for her unmatched scent-detection skills. Her calm demeanor makes her a favorite among Cumberland County Tec 9th-12th grade, students who often see her patrolling hallways with her handler.
Sailor
A Malinois X with a strong, commanding presence, excels in rapid response scenarios. Trained to target firearms and neutralize threats, Sailor is deployed in Garaway Schools K-12 where his ability to navigate complex environments is invaluable.
Colby
A German Shepherd with a friendly and approachable personality, works in PreK-12th grade and church. Despite his charm and playful nature, Colby’s focus during drills and training is unwavering, showcasing the duality of his role as both protector and companion.
Tucker
A strong and beautiful Belgian Malinois, protects the students at Franklin Road Academy in Tennessee grades k-12.
The unique traits of these dogs allow them to integrate seamlessly into the daily rhythm of each school, fostering a sense of safety without disrupting the learning environment.
The science behind the training
The effectiveness of Skool Dogs lies in their rigorous and specialized training:
Scent detection
Dogs are trained to recognize the distinct scents of firearms and ammunition, enabling them to identify potential threats even before they materialize.
Response to gunfire
In the event of an active shooter, Skool Dogs are conditioned to respond to the sound of gunshots and toward the shooter. They engage the shooter by engaging the individual holding the firearm, often neutralizing the threat and providing critical moments for evacuation or intervention.
Environment-specific training
Each dog undergoes customized training based on the unique environment and culture of the school they will serve. This includes familiarization with student age groups, daily routines, and potential vulnerabilities in the school’s layout.
From classroom to campus: A tailored approach
Skool Dogs understands that no two schools are alike. The organization takes a hands-on approach to implementing their program:
1. Site assessments
Security experts evaluate the school’s layout, identifying entry points, blind spots, and high-risk areas.
2. Handler training
Teachers, security personnel, or other staff members designated as handlers undergo comprehensive training in K9 obedience, scent theory, and emergency response.
3. Integration period
Both the dog and handler participate in a multi-week acclimation period, ensuring seamless integration into the school’s environment.
“Skool Dogs don’t just walk the property; they become a part of the school’s community,” says Nicholas. “This level of personalization is what sets us apart and ensures the safety of every child and educator.”
Case studies: Real-world impact
While the program is relatively new started in 2018, Skool Dogs has already begun making a difference in schools across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida and Tennessee. Schools equipped with Skool Dogs report a heightened sense of security among staff, students, and parents.
At Cumberland County Technical Education Center High School, New Jersey, a Skool Dog recently demonstrated its capabilities during a routine security drill. The dog identified a mock firearm hidden in a locker within minutes, showcasing the program’s precision and efficiency. “This gives us peace of mind,” the school’s superintendent shared. “Knowing we have a proactive deterrent changes the entire atmosphere of safety here.”
Breaking barriers: The cost of safety in schools
For approximately $35,000, a school can receive a Skool Dog, including the cost of training and integration. While this may seem like a significant investment, it’s a fraction of many schools’ annual security budgets. Compared to physical security upgrades or additional personnel, a Skool Dog offers unparalleled value through deterrence, detection, and active response capabilities. Sean Casey, Head of Village of Naples School states, “Safety is our top priority, and to have the opportunity to be able to add Officer K9 Colby to our security team is something we couldn’t pass up.”
Challenges and future directions
Despite its promise, the Skool Dogs program faces challenges, including public perception and logistical hurdles. Not all schools are immediately receptive to the idea of integrating K9s, often citing concerns over allergies or student fear of dogs. To address this, Skool Dogs conducts educational workshops, introducing students and staff to the K9 units and their handlers in non-threatening, friendly environments.
Looking ahead, the organization plans to expand its reach, with hopes of establishing programs in more states and developing advanced training methods for their K9s. Research partnerships with universities could also lead to innovations in K9 training and threat detection technologies.
A call to action
As school safety continues to dominate national discourse, Skool Dogs offers a tangible and effective solution. Their program not only deters potential threats but also fosters a culture of preparedness and resilience.
“The time to act is now,” urges Womack. “We can’t wait for another tragedy to make changes. Skool Dogs is here to save lives, one school at a time. If we save one, then we have won!”
Monica German-Prestia, Brand Builder / Creative Digital Producer & Publicist
Monica was born in Buenos Aires and raised in Brooklyn, where her love for the city’s food, art, and culture runs deep. After leaving a corporate media career, she founded her own boutique advertising agency, where she collaborates with entrepreneurs, brands, tech companies, chefs, artists, fashion designers, and authors to elevate their identity and grow their businesses. An avid fan of Argentina’s champion futbol team and a lifelong Depeche Mode devotee, Monica also has a soft spot for authentic Neapolitan pizza, Argentinian Malbec, and global travel adventures. When she’s not helping clients shape their brand, you can find her exploring new cultures and savoring life’s little pleasures.
