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An Old Dog Teaches New Tricks about Safety to Preschoolers

McGruff the Crime Dog and VCU Police visit the VCU Child Development Center

Top Dogs: McGruff the Crime Dog and Officer Tanika Troublefield have the attention of pre-school students at the VCU Child Development Center. Photos by Mike Porter, VCU Office of Communications and Public Relations
McGruff listens attentively as Officer Tanika Troublefield reads “Officer Buckle and Gloria,” the story of a police officer and his dog by Peggy Rathmann.
Officer Troublefield helps one of the children apply a sticker in the shape of a police badge as part of the effort to build a positive relationship with the children.
Group hug: Though a few of students were a bit timid, most were curious about McGruff and they lined up quickly to give him a hug.

10/20/2010

Representatives of the VCU Police Department  visited pre-school students at the VCU Child Development Center on Oct. 19 as part of an ongoing effort to teach young children about safety and to promote a positive relationship with the children.  

Officer Tanika Troublefield and “McGruff the Crime Dog” met with two groups of children, all between the ages of two-and-a-half and five.

Troublefield read to the children and passed out coloring books and stickers in the shape of a police badge.  
   
The children talked about police officers, firefighters, teachers and other adults who work to keep them safe.