Deputy Sheriff Dan Mccole, K-9 Nero, Deputy Sheriff Mike Sarro, Sheriff Carolyn Bunny Welsh, Shamona Creek fourth grade teacher Cathy Tomlinson, Shamona Creek Principal Norma Jean Welsh, Downingtown Area School District Superintendent Lawrence Mussoline and Deputy Sheriff Harry McKinney.
DOWNINGTOWN — Chester County Sheriff Carolyn Bunny Welsh and some of her K-9 deputies visited Shamona Creek Elementary School recently to receive a gift from the school’s students. More than $625 was raised by the children to purchase a Kevlar vest for the Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit.
The donation was sparked by an earlier visit by Welsh and her K-9 Unit.
“Sheriff Welsh and her deputies visited our fourth grade classes last month, providing demonstrations of the K-9 Unit capabilities,” Shamona Creek Principal Norma Jean Welsh said. “The students were so impressed by this experience that they decided to show their appreciation in a very special way, raising funds for the vest.”
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of canine teams in the Chester County Sheriff’s Office. The unit now has six handlers and eight canines that specialize in explosives, narcotics, accelerants and cadaver. A recent addition to the team is a comfort canine used primarily in the Special Victims Unit.
“The deputies and I were thrilled to visit Shamona Creek, to demonstrate the work that the K-9 unit is called to do,” Welsh said. “It is important for students to see these incredible animals close up, to understand and appreciate the way in which they support community safety.
“We were so pleased that the students wanted to show their appreciation for our visit in such a meaningful way. The donations of funds for a Kevlar vest will help to protect our K-9s as they undertake law enforcement work.”
