Fire Station Zoo

By Erin Dixon

Draper - Liberty Hill Apartments in Draper is a part of Cowboy Properties that owns several complexes throughout the valley. Cowboy Properties has a “Cowboy Pledge” program that facilitates monthly service projects. A few months ago, 205 stuffed animals were collected from the citywide Cowboy properties to donate to Station #114 in Draper.

There isn’t anything more exciting to a little kid than a fire truck or an ambulance. However, in an emergency when all the lights are flashing, and strange people surround them, that excitement can quickly turn to fear. Fire Station #114 in Draper keeps a store of stuffed animals for that moment of fear in a child’s life, whether they be the sick ones in an ambulance, the victim of a fire, or even in the home of an injured family member. 

Something to cuddle is not just luxury, it may actually physically calm the frightened child. Femke Van Horen, a researcher at VU University Amsterdam, said in a “Psychology Today” article that “holding something soft increased people’s tolerance for uncertainty in daily life.”

 To celebrate and thank those who donated, an event was held for Cowboy Property residents at the Liberty Hill Apartments. Three firefighters brought an ambulance to accept the donation of animals, and to give a fire safety demonstration.