D.A.R.E. EDUCATION CONTINUES IN CANTON

CANTON -- Fifth-grade teacher Theresa Stimson quieted the students as
they sat in the gymnasium bleachers waiting for their guests to
arrive. As Deputy Montana of the Bradford County Sheriff's Department
came in there were mixed reactions to the 100-pound Rottweiler.

Montana and his owner Deputy Michael VanKuren were there to teach the
fifth-grade classes part of Week 4 of the D.A.R.E. education -- the
use of canines to locate drugs.

Despite the sober topic, VanKuren had the classes laughing as he
explained his partner's training and how they work together. "He
thinks we are playing," said VanKuren, "when he is searching."

The dog is trained to locate prohibited substances by fetching a
rolled towel, he said. As the dog gets older, marijuana is inserted
into the rolled towel and the dog learns that the scent means finding
his toy. When working, VanKuren quickly puts the towel near an area
that the dog locates drugs, leading Montana to believe that he has
found his prize.

VanKuren then demonstrated the sequence by hiding some marijuana in
the gym and having Montana locate it. Another important step is
placing a collar on the dog, VanKuren said, which is a signal that he
is expected to search.

The dog can also track human scent, explained VanKuren, which requires
a different harness-style collar. Montana can differentiate what he is
supposed to do by which collar he is wearing.

VanKuren said that he picked Montana up when he was 6 weeks old and
that he was instantly drawn to the dog because he picked up a set of
metal keys, uncharacteristic of dogs. He said that drive is important
in finding a police dog -- its curiosity and sense of smell.

After the demonstration it was the children's turn to ask questions.
Topics ranged from what dog breeds are good for police dogs to whether
there are canine bullet-proof vests. VanKuren said sporting dogs,
Rottweilers and German shepherds are used because of their noses and
that there are vests designed for dogs.

The D.A.R.E. program is sponsored by the Bradford County Sheriff's
Office. Deputy Peter J. Quattrini Jr. is the D.A.R.E. officer.