Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Puppy love for Chester County K-9 teams
Students at General Wayne Elementary School raised money to donate to the county Sheriff’s K-9 Unit.
WEST CHESTER >> On March 16, Carolyn Stewart’s students at General Wayne Elementary presented Deputy Sheriff Dan McCole and his partner Nero with $252. The money came from sales of the students’ own cookbook, aptly titled “Doggie Doggie Yum Yums.”
A letter from the secondgraders opens the eightpage paperback: “Our hope is that the donations that we collect from these dog treat cookbooks will help to protect valuable search and rescue dogs with bullet-proof vests and other needed supplies.” The recipes run the gamut from doggie breath mints to doggie ice cream.
The inspiration for the gift began much earlier. Stewart said the Great Valley School District had sent her to a workshop in North Carolina, where she got excited about the “project approach” to reading and writing. Eager to tap into her students’ interests, she came up with a topic – “Work Like a Dog” – and then contacted “guest experts” to visit the classroom. Among the visitors were McCole, Nero, Deputy Sheriff Mike Carlson, and his partner, Luke.
“Officer McCole and Officer Carlson were amazing,” Stewart said. “The class was even able to go outside for a real-life demonstration from both dogs.”
McCole said that after
the demonstration, which involved the dogs’ locating some of the students’ prized possessions, the deputies opened the session up to questions.
The most persistent inquiry involved the K-9s’ behavior: How could the students get their own dogs to respond so impressively? The answer: intensive training.
“The opportunity to reach out and build relationships with children and show them how we help the community is always positive,” said McCole.
During the visit, a bond formed between the students and K-9 teams, an
outcome that conveniently dovetailed with one of Stewart’s goals. She said she had wanted to incorporate some kind of community service project within the unit, and fueled by the students’ enthusiasm, she suggested a dog treat cookbook that could be sold.
The students researched recipes, created the title, and illustrated the cookbook, Stewart said. They also practiced their writing skills with cards and letters to the deputies.
“I am most definitely going to continue this project,” Stewart said. “In fact, the other second-grade teachers want to be part of it next year.”
For Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh, such reactions are always welcome. “Our canine teams provide a very
valuable service to law enforcement,” she said. “It’s always gratifying to see families and children interact with the deputies and their K-9 partners. The dogs are very social and enjoy these special events.”
The Chester County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, currently boasts seven deputies and 10 canines. Supervised by Lt. Harry McKinney, the unit was expanded by Welsh to meet the needs of a growing population and now includes three narcotic detection canines, four explosive detection canines, one accelerant detection canine, one cadaver detection canine, and one courthouse therapy/comfort canine. Several of the canines are cross-trained in patrol and tracking.