We Got Your Back
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Darrell Cole (darrell.cole@amherstnews.ca) Published: Oct 20 at 2:57 p.m. Updated: Oct 20 at 4:16 p.m. |
Vic Gorman, Chris Paley and Brian Carter from the RCMP Veterans Association Nova Scotia Division stand with two of the Big Foot Moose Mounties they are presenting to RCMP detachments around the province. The stuffed toys are meant to be used by RCMP officers when responding to traumatic situations involving children or persons with dementia. – Darrell Cole
N.S. RCMP veterans association providing stuffed bears to all 52 detachments.
AMHERST – Nova Scotia RCMP officers have another tool they can use when responding to traumatic situations involving children or those suffering with conditions such as dementia.
Members of the RCMP Veterans Association Nova Scotia Division are making their way around the province’s 52 detachments to present Big Foot Moose Mountie plush toys to assist officers in their work in the community, especially with families and children.
“It has been a tough year for everyone and we wanted to be able to give the detachments something tangible they can use on the job,” Jan Gorman, of the veterans association, said during a visit to the Cumberland detachment in Amherst.
“They can be used for children in crisis, or someone experiencing dementia. The thought is everyone needs something to cuddle.”
It’s part of the We Got Your Back initiative that encouraged veterans association members to sponsor one or more of the Moose Mounties, dressed in red serge and Stetson, to be distributed at the discretion of the detachments when needed. Retired officer Chris Paley said stuffed toys work during traumatic moments and he’s sure they’ll be put to good use.
“Kids and even seniors with dementia recognize the red serge and Stetson and it’s so cuddly,” he said. “As kids, we were always taught police are our friend so these Moose Mounties, the way they are dressed, are very symbolic of the RCMP. Rather than just a teddy bear in T-shirt these are a little more special.”
Gorman said the stuffed toys have already been used on at least two occasions.
She said it did not take long for the membership to take on the cause. Many members sponsored a plush toy in memory of deceased family members and/or RCMP employees. There were also multiple sponsorships from single donors.
“They have a lot of sentimentality attached to them,” she said.
Because of this, each of the detachments is receiving two of the toys and the veterans association is committed to replenishing supplies on a continuous basis moving forward.
The first Moose Mountie was presented to H Division’s commanding officer Lee Bergman by association president Brian Carter on Sept. 9.
Since launching the program, the Nova Scotia association has been contacted by others across the country interested in doing the same, while the president of the national association is the past president of the Nova Scotia association and accompanied Gorman while delivering the moose last week to detachments in other parts of the province.