William Penn gets special K-9 visitor

By EMILY BENNETT DILULLO
ebennett@yourmvi.com
William Penn Elementary students got a special visit from a furry friend during school Wednesday.
Forward Township police Chief Travis Stoffer and Elizabeth Township police Officer Dan Novacek brought K-9 Officer Eli, a 4-year-old German shepherd, to the school cafeteria for some demonstrations.
Novacek directly handles Eli, and he made a point to tell kids his partner is a serious police dog by day, but transforms into his best friend once he is off the clock and they’re at home together.
While Novacek gave Eli commands in German, many students were involved with asking questions and general crowd participation.
The special program is part of the national Red Ribbon Week campaign –– an anti-drug campaign the William Penn PTA is sponsoring.
Carrie Fiore is a member of the PTA and an instructional aide at William Penn who helped organize the K-9 visit for the students. William Penn Elementary is in Forward Township and is part of the Elizabeth Forward School District.

To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Thursday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.