Area first responders now have an amenity to help comfort distressed children during times of crisis.
Several cases of stuffed animals were donated to members of Nevada Highway Patrol, Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Services and Nye County Sheriff’s deputies.
The cases contain the Pahrump Moose Lodge’s official mascot, “Tommy Moose.”
Moose Lodge Governor Tim Andrewnovitz said lodge members thought of a way to comfort distressed children involved in frightful situations.
He noted the soft, cuddly animals have a way of settling a child down.
“We gave two cases containing Tommy the Moose to the highway patrol, the fire department and the sheriff’s office,” he said. “When there’s an accident or fire and there are kids involved, they get very stressed over the traumatic incident. By giving them that little moose, it makes a world of difference to that child.”
The first responders will carry Tommy Moose in their vehicles in the event of an incident where a child may have suffered some kind of emotional trauma.
The animals are sealed inside large Ziploc bags to remain in pristine condition.
Moose Lodge Chapter 1141 Senior Regent Tracey Resh said the animals were acquired through the lodge’s headquarters.
“Of course there is a cost to all of this, but that’s not important to us because the kids that are in need have something to hold onto,” she said. “If there’s a fire at their house or God forbid, a car accident along the highway and they’re crying and nobody is explaining what is happening, holding the moose gives them great comfort. We are all about kids and seniors, so we do the best we can to make the kids and seniors in the community more comfortable.”
Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes