Photo by Monica Coleman There is nothing intimidating about Follin. She doesn't even bark. Her friendly eyes and warm demeanor look similar to a typical family dog, but the black and white English springer spaniel turns into an overly eager, drug-sniffing detective when her collar is on.
"When I take the black collar off, she knows she's a dog again," said Scott Collins, a deputy with Montgomery County Constable's Office Precinct 5 and Follin's partner.
Follin is a drug dog used by the Montgomery County Constable's Office Precinct 5. She is owned by Magnolia ISD but is contracted to the constable's office for handling and use. Follin is the school district's second drug dog, replacing her predecessor Zeus, who served for four years before retiring in 2013, said Jared Urban, a lieutenant with Montgomery County Constable Precinct 5. Urban said Montgomery County has employed multiple canines for the past seven years.
Follin is trained to detect narcotics, guns and ammunition. She is nationally certified in narcotics through the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association, the American Working Dog Association and the National Police Canine Association.
"She's one of the best dope dogs we have in Montgomery County," Collins said.
Collins said each day is an unscheduled adventure for the duo. The two spend their days conducting random searches at schools in Magnolia ISD, where there is an attendance of more than 12,000 students.
"Our main objective is to deter the students from bringing contraband," Urban said.
Collins said onlookers sometimes mistake Follin's small stature for weakness when it is often an advantage. She can go under school bus seats and other small areas unlike most drug dogs, which are often German or Belgian shepherds, he said.
"A lot of people make fun of me because I have this little dog," he said.
Follin has been deployed 130 times this school year alone, Collins said. The duo also trains once a week with a local group of 20 federal, state and local agency handlers and dogs.
School officials in MISD invite Follin to campus for searches. Follin is used to search lockers and hallways on campus, and she is also used at school sporting events and parades. Brenda Martin, principal at Magnolia Junior High School, said Follin has been a positive experience for her students.
"We love it," she said. "It's a proactive approach. It also forms a type of bond between law enforcement and students."
During a recent workday, Follin started at Magnolia West High School where Associate Principal James Dristas led the duo through several areas, including an in-school suspension classroom, hallway lockers and a boys' locker room.
Dristas said Follin's presence alone stirs students in the right direction.
The duo moved along and ended their search that day at Magnolia Junior High School, where Collins unleashed Follin in an empty field house.
"She searches on her own," he said. "She's a very independent dog. Sometimes, she doesn't need me working with her."
When Follin picks up a scent, she hones in on its location, stands straight up and stares at it. Collins then rewards his partner for a job well done.
"It's a game of hide and go seek," Collins said. "That's all it is for her. She just works for praises. That's all she wants. Her rewards are praises, pets and a $2.99 ball."
