4 days ago
Nanticoke girl raises funds for firehouse dog
NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local girl is helping her community fire department raise money to care for their new firehouse dog. The department lost its old dog last fall.
28/22 News Reporter Avery Nape was there to visit the firehouse's new furry friend.
Meet Hahn, a 14-week-old dalmatian, and Nanticoke Fire Department's new firehouse dog.
The playful pup has only been with the department for two weeks. The growing pup requires a lot of care.
That's why eight-year-old Teagan Bruza of Nanticoke decided to raise money to help even before she met him.
'I was, in my head, I was like, 'Oh my God, he's so cute,'' Teagan said.
Teagan teamed up with friends, family, and firefighters for a fundraiser on Sunday. selling Italian ice, baked goods, and more than 400 hot dogs, all donated by the community.
The money will help the department pay for Hahn's vet bills and other expenses.
'He has a lot of energy and is, like, real playful,' Teagan added.
While this was the first time Teagan got to meet her new friend Hahn, she's no stranger to firehouse dogs.
The department's old dog, Ash, passed away last fall.
'And like, when I heard the news, I was, like, heartbroken and, like, I was upset,' Teagan continued.
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While the loss of their old dog, Ash, wasn't easy, 14-week-old Hahn is quickly becoming part of the family.
'He's learning how to go outside on his own. He goes to the door and lets us know he has to go out, and he's doing very well. He's adapting very well,' Nanticoke Fire Department Chief Mark Boncal told 28/22 News.
Chief Boncal says firehouse dogs like Hahn play a crucial role in fire safety and prevention. Sometimes, like their first dog steamer in 1987, they can even save lives, as was the case one time with a kid.
'He was playing with matches and then a lighter and caught his clothes on fire, and he did stop-drop-and-roll. And when he was asked where he learned that from, he said, 'I learned it from Steamer,'' Chief Boncal explained.
Teagan says she's excited to see Hahn at Fire Prevention Week at her school, but for now, she's grateful for all the support the community has shown and make this furry addition's role with the fire department possible.
'I would like to thank everybody who, like, helped out and, like, came and bought hot-dogs,' Teagan said.
So far, more than $3,300 has been raised.
Bruza and her family will be presenting a check to the department at Hahn's swearing-in ceremony on June 18.
Anyone interested in donating can contact the Nanticoke Fire Department.
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