In our continuing effort to work with area law enforcement, STAND T.A.L.L. vice president Sharon Hanson contacted the Maggie Valley police department to be sure that they had protective equipment for “Goose,” the only K-9 on their force.
After talking to Officer Logan Wood, handler of K-9 “Goose”, Ms. Hanson learned that the department did not have a bulletproof vest or a K-9 medical kit that included NARCAN for field emergencies if “Goose” should be exposed to fentanyl while searching for drugs.
She took immediate action and presented a request to the STAND T.A.L.L. Board and requested that we raise and provide the funds – more than $2300 – to cover the cost of both the custom-made protective vest and the Medical Field Trauma Kit with NARCAN.
On Wednesday June 23 STAND T.A.L.L. presented to Officer Wood and “Goose” a custom-fit bulletproof vest and a complete Field Trauma Kit. In addition, the Maggie Valley Police Department will receive several bags of new plush animal toys. These toys are often given to young children who might be at a scene to which the officers have responded, and who are scared or upset.
According to Sharon Hanson, “Our research and work with other law enforcement departments has found that a cuddly plush toy often helps calm the child, so we donate these stuffed animals to be carried by the patrol officers and given to children whom they encounter when on a call.”
When Sheriff Russell Gilliland of the Maggie Valley Police Department met Ms. Hanson the thanked her, saying, “This is wonderful, and we’re very grateful. I can’t tell you how much it means to us to have an organization like STAND T.A.L.L. available to step up to help us and all law enforcement in Western North Carolina. I am very pleased that they contacted us.” He went on to say, “Our K-9 represents a major investment for those of us in law enforcement, and the risk is too high to not be able to protect and treat the dogs in the field should they get injured.”
The presentation from STAND T.A.L.L. of the K-9 protective vest, Field Trauma Kit and the toys was made by Ron Kauffman, President and VP Sharon Hanson to Officer Wood and Sheriff Gilliland at their Maggie Valley office. (See photo of Goose in his new vest)