Students at New Underwood Elementary and Hill City Middle School got an up‑close look at the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office’s newest K‑9 narcotics detection dogs this week. The visits were organized by the sheriff’s department to teach children about the dogs’ duties and to strengthen ties between law‑enforcement and the community.
Four‑legged deputies on the classroom floor
Lieutenant Jason Mitzel, a senior officer with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, explained that the dogs are a “strong asset” for protecting the community, schools and public facilities. He said the K‑9s have already helped deputies make several arrests, demonstrating their effectiveness in real investigations.
Building trust with students
Ranger’s handler, Travis Leeson, said the primary goal of the school visits was to forge connections with young people. “I think they’re going to have a really huge impact on the kids, and that was the main goal with the Sheriff’s Office,” he said.
Students reacted with excitement, offering “aahs” and “oohs” as the dogs entered the classrooms. Phillip Rivera, Tiger’s handler, noted the enthusiasm, adding, “He’s cute. So he’s a good‑looking dog, and he’s a hard worker.”
Meet Ranger and Tiger
Ranger, a three‑year‑old Labrador retriever, is praised for his strong hunting drive and eagerness to work and play. Leeson described him as “a little stubborn” but reliable, saying, “He does really good. He’s got a really strong hunting drive, and he just wants to work and play.”
Tiger, a one‑year‑old German short‑haired pointer, brings a different energy. Rivera called him “an energizer bunny” who is constantly on the move. She added, “I’ve got to keep him entertained, otherwise he gets into some trouble.”
Educational outreach
During the visits, students were encouraged to ask questions about the dogs’ training, daily duties and the broader role of law‑enforcement in the community. The sheriff’s office hopes that early exposure to these K‑9 partners will foster respect for public safety officers and deter future wrongdoing.
Both schools plan to continue inviting the sheriff’s department for future educational events, reinforcing the message that safety, respect and community partnership start at a young age.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
