Park Avenue welcomes officers, Student Council raises money for K9 team

The Park Avenue Student Council is working on another great project this spring, raising money to buy first-aid kits for the Warwick Valley Police Department’s K-9 units! Officer Kevin and Officer Derek visited students in kindergarten through fourth grade on April 16, and brought two of their K9s, Rocky and Fitz, to meet and interact with them. 

The officers — human and canine — put on a special demonstration to show their agility and some of the activities the dogs may have to carry out on a typical work day. They were amazed by how high the dogs can jump, which can be up to ten feet in the air. The students also got to toss “evidence” into the nearby grass for the dogs to sniff out. As Officers Kevin and Derek explained, the dogs use their sense of smell to help locate all kinds of things, from missing or hidden items to drugs, and even people!  

The students were all amazed to learn about the roles the dogs play in public safety, and grateful, too! Learning just how involved the dogs are in day to day investigations, the Student Council members felt even stronger about their decision to fundraise for them.    

“We wanted to get them first aid kits so that if they get hurt while they’re protecting us, we can also help them and save their lives,” said Sabina Fasano, a Student Council member. “Some of the money we raise is also going to go towards the emotional support dog we are trying to get for the police officers.” 

The first aid kits are specifically equipped with the essential equipment to render care to a canine, when veterinary care is not immediately available. 

“We all like dogs and they’re really nice, so that’s why we decided to donate,” said Student Council member Maddie Maybeck. “If they get hurt, we would all want to help them.”

Following a special Q&A session, students lined up to carefully pet the dogs and say hello.