The Ramtown-Howell Fire Company recently received a donation of three sets of specially designed oxygen masks for pets from at-home pet services provider Canine Company. Chief William Gotto requested and received the life-saving masks after learning about the company’s donation program from a neighboring fire company. An estimated 40,000 pets die from smoke inhalation across the United States each year. The cone-shaped masks are designed for a pet’s snout. Each set includes masks in three sizes to fit pets from small mammals to giant breed dogs. To ensure rescuers know there are pets in a home, Canine Company has offered free “Pets Inside” decals to local pet parents. The stickers are available from a fire company, or they may be requested by mail through the Request a Decal form on Canine Company’s website. For more information, visit www.caninecompany.com
Representatives from OceanFirst Bank and OceanFirst Foundation recently visited the Howard C. Johnson Elementary School in Jackson to tour the model classroom made possible by a grant from OceanFirst Foundation. With the $10,000 Model Classroom Grant, the school created a space for social and emotional learning with the aid of the school’s therapy dog – Mighty. The Yale University School for Child Development and Social Policy developed a curriculum called “Mutt-i-grees” with the mission to “teach children skills to promote self-awareness and social awareness, effectively communicate and manage emotions and foster empathy.” The Johnson school has incorporated the curriculum in its newly constructed “Learning Unleashed” model classroom.