Dougherty County first responders receive stuffed ‘Tommy the Moose’ toys for children in traumatic events

ALBANY, Ga. – When children are part of a traumatic accident or crime scene, paramedics and law enforcement are there to console kids with a stuffed toy.

As an act of kindness this holiday season, Moose Lodge 1285 in Albany donated 3 dozens of these stuffed toys to Dougherty County EMS and Dougherty County Police. EMS Director Sam Allen says “Tommy the Moose” will help children escape from their trauma even if it’s only for a moment and comfort them during stressful events.

“When that child is screaming and they’re petrified, and you give them that toy animal they take it and they just latch on to it and when we roll into the emergency room and they see the doctors the first thing they think is they’re going to get a shot, but with Tommy, they’re fine, they’re calm, they’re relaxed,” says Allen.