`Club has a secret to soothe kids`

By Laurel Bosshart
Herald News Intern

It’s SECRET, but this is one secret that the Mercer County Dog Training Club is eager to share with everyone.

Soothing Every Child Requiring Extra Trust (SECRET) is a new program involving stuffed toy dogs the club hopes to implement in every police and fire department in the Mercer County area. Club president Cynthia Sankey, Greenville, said the club will place the stuffed toys in police cruisers and fire vehicles specifically for situations where an upset child is on the scene of an incident.

“In the case of a house fire or an auto accident, actually any situation that uproots them (child), we would like to provide a stuffed dog,” Ms. Sankey said.

Crediting the idea to Nanci Takash, training director for the club, Ms. Sankey said she believes the gift of a stuffed dog to the child would not only have a calming effect on the child, but would also provide engender trust in emergency personnel.

A stuffed dog, such as Beanie Baby “Tuffy,” would be given to the child with a little poem created by club member Tami Cawthorne, Sharpsville. Part of the poem reads: “I’m here to give you all my love ... I’m your little secret who’ll always be right there.”

Ms. Sankey said she will be meeting with police and fire departments next month to present them with the stuffed dogs.

The non-profit dog club, which is in its 20th year, is currently taking donations of stuffed dogs of any type, large or small, Ms. Sankey said.

“It can be anything, from Beanie Baby size to large stuffed dogs,” Clark resident Sandy Marshall said. “Even if people would be willing to sew a dog.”

Ms. Sankey added that beside stuffed dogs, the club also needs bags to keep the dogs clean and any monetary donation as well to “keep the supply going.”

The club has enough dogs to get started. She went on to say that the club should keep between 100-150 in stock, so the dogs would be available when the departments need them.

“Because each situation is different, you never know when you’ll need one dog or four,” Ms. Sankey explained.

“Everyone needs security,” Ms. Marshall added. “No matter what age.”

Anyone interested in making a SECRET donation should contact: Sherry Gereb 962-9984.

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Updated July 28, 1998
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