Church prays for kids who need love to come

The canine officer showed off his skills at the day camp.

By VIRGINIA ROSS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NORTH LIMA — Andrew Brockway said it’s amazing how Kaz, the Beaver Township Police Department’s canine officer, finds things so easily.

On Wednesday, during a summer day-camp program at the Youngstown Shrine Club in Beaver Township, township Police Officer Dan Lewis threw a set of keys into a field, and within seconds Kaz found them.

“You know Kaz finds people and drugs, too,” said Andrew, 10, of Beaver Township. “He’s a really good dog."

With Patrolman Vince Arquilla on the other side of the field, Lewis gave Kaz permission to apprehend the “suspect.” The 100-plus youths at the day camp watched in amazement as Kaz ran across the field, jumped at Arquilla and bit into the patrolman’s protective suit.

“We don’t use the word attack or say ‘attack dog’” Lewis explained.

“The dog isn’t attacking, and he isn’t going after Officer Arquilla because he’s a mean dog. He’s doing this because he’s trained and actually doing what I’ve given him permission to do. That’s not an attack. That’s his job.”

Lewis and Kaz have been partners for the past four years. The team has assisted in numerous drug-related arrests in the township and has helped find missing people.

Several times a year, Lewis and Kaz demonstrate the canine’s skills during various events throughout the area.

About the camp

The demonstration was incorporated into the day-camp program as one of several activities. The camp is sponsored by Good Hope Lutheran Church with the assistance of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio.

The Rev. Ralph Edwards, pastor of Good Hope, serves as chaplain for the township police department. He and his wife, Brigid, oversee the day-camp program. The youth ministry SuperKids assists by transporting many participating youth from Youngstown to Beaver Township.

“We’ve tried to incorporate the community into the day-camp program,” the Rev. Mr. Edwards said. “We wanted to give our police and fire department members an opportunity to connect and interact with the children.”

The children also have experienced visits from the township fire department and Shriner clowns and have participated in various games, crafts, Bible lessons and other activities.

“This is a community effort,” Mr. Edwards said. “It’s a combined effort with the church and police and fire departments and volunteers. That’s what makes it possible.”

Mr. Edwards said the church prepares for the day-camp program by conducting prayer walks at the Shrine Club property where the activities are held.

“We’ve asked God to send us children that need to feel the love of Jesus,” the pastor said. “And our goal is that we would be that love. That’s what we hope to accomplish here.”

The day camp, in its third year, began Monday and continues through Friday. The free program is open to children in first through seventh grades.