The newest kid on the Barton School campus has floppy ears, walks on all fours and likes to use his nose instead of his head. Bear, as they call him, is a 2-year-old drug and gun-sniffing canine the district recently bought through several fund-raising efforts.
The elementary students have already fallen in love with Bear and they all feel much safer and more comfortable on their campus with him there. Bear is a solid black, male Labrador retriever and a graduate of the Little Rock Canine Academy. He is already trained to sniff out marijuana, crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, heroin and firearms.
Barton’s Human Resource Officer James Haynes is Bear’s handler. The two have spent hours working together. Haynes went through special training to learn Bear’s moves, mannerisms and method of operation.
The school, through various fund-raisers, earned $8,000 to buy Bear for the Barton School campus. The district will continue to hold fund-raisers periodically to help pay for Bear’s upkeep.
“This is the result of a great effort by a lot of people,” said Haynes. “I want to personally thank the school administration and the school board for getting involved.”
According to Haynes it was team effort. He offered special thanks to Tommy Young, who took a day off from work to barbecue more than 100 Boston butts to be sold as one of the major fund-raising efforts. He also praised the efforts of Robertson’s Furniture Store, the Barton Junior Beta Club, Marty Mart Conoco stations, Cunningham’s, Roxie Wilson and Kim and Travis Williams, who donated money to the cause.
“The school staff came up with some great ideas for fund-raising efforts and they put in a lot of time and effort,” stated Haynes.
Bear is a non-aggressive dog that can sniff out drugs and guns anywhere they are hidden.
“Bear likes his work and he works quickly,” said Haynes. “He is certified by the National Narcotics Policeman’s Association and the evidence he uncovers stands up in court.”
There won’t be any drug dealers in Phillips County that believe this dog is man’s best friend.
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The newest kid on the Barton School campus has floppy ears, walks on all fours and likes to use his nose instead of his head. Bear, as they call him, is a 2-year-old drug and gun-sniffing canine the district recently bought through several fund-raising efforts.
The elementary students have already fallen in love with Bear and they all feel much safer and more comfortable on their campus with him there. Bear is a solid black, male Labrador retriever and a graduate of the Little Rock Canine Academy. He is already trained to sniff out marijuana, crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, heroin and firearms.
Barton’s Human Resource Officer James Haynes is Bear’s handler. The two have spent hours working together. Haynes went through special training to learn Bear’s moves, mannerisms and method of operation.
The school, through various fund-raisers, earned $8,000 to buy Bear for the Barton School campus. The district will continue to hold fund-raisers periodically to help pay for Bear’s upkeep.
“This is the result of a great effort by a lot of people,” said Haynes. “I want to personally thank the school administration and the school board for getting involved.”
According to Haynes it was team effort. He offered special thanks to Tommy Young, who took a day off from work to barbecue more than 100 Boston butts to be sold as one of the major fund-raising efforts. He also praised the efforts of Robertson’s Furniture Store, the Barton Junior Beta Club, Marty Mart Conoco stations, Cunningham’s, Roxie Wilson and Kim and Travis Williams, who donated money to the cause.
“The school staff came up with some great ideas for fund-raising efforts and they put in a lot of time and effort,” stated Haynes.
Bear is a non-aggressive dog that can sniff out drugs and guns anywhere they are hidden.
“Bear likes his work and he works quickly,” said Haynes. “He is certified by the National Narcotics Policeman’s Association and the evidence he uncovers stands up in court.”
There won’t be any drug dealers in Phillips County that believe this dog is man’s best friend.
