Around this time last year, Kiwi the K-9 dog was added to the Liberty Hill ISD police squad, but as we have learned this past year, she is more than just a narcotics dog. Let’s chat with Kiwi’s handler, Officer Ashley Stewart about how Kiwi has become a special part of the LHISD family.

When Officer Stewart joined the LHISD police force last Spring, she was asked about becoming a dog handler. It is an added responsibility that she quickly knew she wanted! Kiwi joined the force a few months later, after Stewart completed handler training. Kiwi now has a crate in her office at Liberty Hill High School, a role on the force, and a home in Stewart’s personal house.

“She's basically my dog that comes to work with me since she is owned by the district. I take care of her. She comes with me every day”, said Stewart. Stewart anticipates Kiwi will be with her for the next eight to ten years as is the typical life of a service dog.

Kiwi is an English labrador that was born in Poland. She was flown to the United States with a batch of other dogs for Pacesetter K-9 here in Liberty Hill. They trained her to be paired with Stewart. Pacesetter owner Brad Langham explained, “Poland is a great source for solid dogs that are genetically bred for working. My vendor has a wide selection of dogs, so going to one place instead of multiple places in the United States saves time and money. Plus the cost is better because of the amount of dogs they have.”

Kiwi’s narcotics training started out with just a squeaky tennis ball. Stewart explained, “That's her thing, and her reward whenever she finds something.” When they initially began training her, they would let her go search the room for a hidden squeaky tennis ball. So when she found it, she’d get a “yay, good job!” And then they would put marijuana, for example, with the tennis ball. She'd sniff the room, find the tennis ball and the marijuana, and then she’d get another  “yay, good job.” Eventually, they could take away the tennis ball and Kiwi would look for the marijuana. Once she found it, the tennis ball came back out like an immediate reward for finding the scent. Once this pattern was established, “in her brain, she was trying to figure out what she needed to do to get that ball,” said Stewart. 

Her training is complete when she learned the final alert-  to sniff and then sit, the sign that she has found the item and is ready for her ball. Kiwi will sniff out what she is looking for, often showing a change in behavior by turning and zoning into one area and then will sit there. If this is done in a LHISD classroom, school administration have probable cause to search inside the backpack to see if there are any drugs inside. Kiwi searches a few classrooms at LHHS at random a few times per week. But her role in the schools has become so much more.

Although she is housed at LHHS, Kiwi and Stewart visit campuses around the district when requested. “Oh, she is a PR dog,” exclaimed Stewart. “If I get a request from any elementary school teacher, I'll go over there and we'll do a short presentation and then kids get to pet the dog, and they love it.” Kiwi was a star at a recent LHISD elementary school Touch-a-Truck event and made a special appearance in the classroom at World Read Aloud Day last winter. According to Effective School Solutions, a leader in mental health programs in schools , “dogs have proven highly effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Animals trained in interactions provide specific emotional support and comfort to students.”

LHISD Police Chief Chris Rybarski is glad to have Kiwi as part of his team. He said, “K-9 detection dogs provide a valuable tool in promoting safety and a drug-free environment on school campuses. These specially trained dogs can detect the presence of narcotics, helping to deter illicit activity and ensure a secure learning environment. Their presence not only enhances preventative measures but also fosters a sense of accountability and reassurance among students, staff and parents.”

To see more about Kiwi, you can follow her on Facebook and Instagram.