By Anna L. Griffin
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Copyright 2006 Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
LEOMINSTER, Mass. - The city can be added to a growing list of communities that have received specialized oxygen masks to be used in the rescue of cats and dogs.
"We're trying to reach out to every community within Worcester County," said Kathy Haskell, president of the Worcester County NEADS Lions Club, during a recent presentation at the Central Fire Station where two masks were donated to the Leominster Fire Department, a larger-sized one for big dogs and a smaller one that will be able to fit cats and smaller dogs.
"One of the ways we're raising awareness is to work on this service project," Mrs. Haskell said. "This is a very worthwhile endeavor. These masks are specifically designed to fit over the muzzles of dogs and cats, so if they are rescued from a fire and in need of oxygen, the firefighters will have the appropriate equipment to use - rather than try and use a mask for a person on the animal."
NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services) Dogs For Deaf and Disabled Americans, is a national nonprofit organization that trains dogs to assist people who have disabilities. Based in Princeton, the organization was started 30 years ago with seed monies provided by the Medfield Lions Club.
Now, 30 years later, the organization has its own Lions Club. Worcester County NEADS Lions Club is the newest Lions Club in Massachusetts. It is dedicated to spreading the word about the work that NEADS is doing.
A set of the masks costs $50. "We rely on donations and other methods of fundraising in order to purchase these masks," Mrs. Haskell said.
Mona Blanchard, a member of the Worcester County NEADS Lions Club, made the $50 donation so the masks could be given to the Leominster Fire Department. "I would hate to see an animal die because the firefighters didn't have the right equipment," she said.
Masks have been donated to fire departments in Princeton, Sterling, Westminster, Southbridge, Auburn, West Boylston, Fitchburg and Northbridge.
"We would like to equip every community in the county with these," Mrs. Haskell said.
