4-year-old Springdale Twp. girl continues fundraising efforts for Allegheny Valley Police K-9s

Most 4-year-olds seem to have boundless energy and Zoey Walker is no exception. Except that Zoey’s energy has gone above and beyond what most people might expect.

The Springdale Township girl has been indefatigable in her efforts to help raise money for a new police dog for the Allegheny Valley Regional Police. Her hard work has included everything from setting up a lemonade stand to selling hot dogs and cupcakes.

Now the enterprising young lady is selling hoagies to benefit the effort with a little help from her grandmother, Angie Hare, and her mother, Ashley Walker.

“Zoey loves animals. She’s in love with my dogs,” said Hare, who owns a red nose coon hound and a shepherd mix. “The way she got started is she woke up one morning at 7 o’clock, and said, ‘The police doggie needs money. Let’s go sell lemonade.’

“It was 50 degrees that day and she’s out there selling lemonade and desserts. And that’s how it got started. All she wants to do is to make money for this doggie.”

Last April a foundation honoring New Kensington police officer Brian Shaw, who was shot and killed while on duty in 2017, awarded a $15,000 grant to the Allegheny Valley Police K-9 unit for the purpose of bringing a new police dog to the force. That money should just about cover the $8,000 cost for the dog and the $7,000 for training and other expenses.

But that doesn’t mean the department is any less appreciative of Zoey and Angie’s help.

“We appreciate everything that Zoey has done to help us and her love of animals and support for the police,” said Mike Naviglia, chief of the Allegheny Valley Regional Police.

For her part, Hare said she remains in awe of how much passion Zoey has shown in her tireless fundraising efforts.

“Zoey has a heart for other people and she will do anything for anybody. She’s only 4, but she cares more about everybody else but herself. I’m very proud of her for wanting to help the police.”