Dogs Against Drugs

Children's Crisis Prevention Network

Dogs Against Drugs

Prevention, Intervention, and Education

Dogs Against Drugs (DAD) is perhaps our most visible and easily recognizable program. Our friendly labradors and golden retrievers in their leather harneses set them apart in the eyes of the students and adults alike as they work to keep local campuses safe and drug-free.

DAD dogs are easy to spot in their brown leather harnesses embossed with the DAD logo. Whenever you see a dog wearing his DAD harness, you will know that he is a kind, gentle dog that will never harm you, will never bark, growl, or do anything else that will harm anyone, especially children.

Students quickly learn to recognize their DAD dog and often want to run up and hug his neck. This is perfectly fine! We encourage students to pet their DAD dog at anytime, even during an inspection. This encourages strong feelings of comfort with the students. Who doesn't want to pet a friendly dog?

The DAD dogs can locate many varieties of drugs, alcohol, and gunpowder. These items include pills and even residue of these substances. Dog noses are extremely sensitive and discriminating, and our dogs will alert even if some type of covering scent is attempted. And believe us, people have tried!

Please contact us for a demonstration.

Visit our Adopt a DAD Dog page to see pictures of all of our dogs.

Look! DAD made the News!
Check out these recent articles:

Athens Review, 04/10/09

Click here to download 04/10/09 article

Athens Review, 08/07/07

Celina Record, 04/05/07

Athens Review, 03/09/07

DAD dogs are trained to inspect all areas of a school, including vehicles.

One lesson children learn from the DAD dogs is to "Listen Up and Talk It Out."

Barbara Pettycrew is the Executive Director of Children's Crisis Prevention Network and Dogs Against Drugs. As a certified counselor, she used her knowledge and talents to develop the unique curriculum used in classrooms by CCPN/DAD reps today. In between her "real" job of counseling during most of the week, Barbara gives public presentations, manages the DAD staff, and even occassionally conducts inspections.

Genie Hilton and Toby are in their third year as a team for Dogs Against Drugs. Toby is especially known for detecting residual odors. He also loves having his belly scratched, as many kids who have met him know. Genie is the Senior Handler and has a strong background in public speaking and the sciences.

Jan and Cassie during NNDDA certification training. Cassie is a veteran DAD dog, while Jan is a new DAD rep. Jan has a background in the Criminal Justice field and has a great deal of experience with a variety of animals.

Hall of Fame

Here are some of our Retirees, DAD dogs that have moved on to new lives, but are still loved and remembered by children and staff alike.

Fred, the beloved Golden Retriever, was recently retired. Students often ask about Fred, remembering his gentle ways and outstanding nose. He had been a true champion and will be sorely missed. He has been placed with a family that requires Fred's special personality.

Enjoy retirement, Fred. You deserve it!

Sammie, well-loved by many people of all ages, has recently passed away. We have all lost a great friend.

Before she was retired last year, she still loved to work, but her arthritic hip just would not let her work as hard as she wanted to. She found a new home with a family with a special-needs child who could benefit from Sammie's special skills and attitude. Sammie also benefited by being useful, needed, but not quite so active.

You brought so much to our lives. We will miss you, Sammie.

For more information about our qualifications, please see our "About Us" page on this website.

Please send us an email.

Prevention. Intervention. Education

Children's Crisis Prevention Network
7479 Hwy 19 South

PO Box 2464
Athens, TX 75751

Phone: (903)677-3220
Fax: (903)677-0710

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