Therapy dogs, youth boxing demo join lineup for Latrobe's National Night Out on Wednesday

Therapy dogs and a youth boxing demonstration will be first-time features at this year’s National Night Out in Latrobe, set for Wednesday at Memorial Stadium.

The free event, meant to promote police-community relations and crime prevention, will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

In addition to seeing a Westmoreland County Police K-9 dog and the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department bloodhound team, those attending the event will be able to meet the local nonprofit Top Dog Therapy Team.

According to its website, Top Dog is “dedicated to improving the lives of people through the healing power of animals” — with therapy dogs and handlers making visits to medical and recovery centers, educational facilities and bereavement and crisis situations.

“There’s so much concern about mental health these days, therapy dogs are becoming very popular,” said Beth Straka, a Night Out organizer who is the City of Latrobe’s deputy director of community affairs and police services.

Demonstrations of martial arts and kickboxing await stadium visitors, as well as a demonstration offered by a Youngstown-based boys boxing program.

James Mullooly, who helped organize Latrobe’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day parade earlier this year, is the coach and founder of Irish Brothers Boxing. The recreational boxing program for boys and young men meets in Mullooly’s garage-based gym twice a week for practice sessions, with members also traveling beyond state borders to compete in matches.

“I’ve boxed since I was 15 and I coached in a boys’ home in upstate New York,” said Mullooly, an Armstrong County native of Irish descent who is a foster-care recruiter for Latrobe-based Adelphoi and pastor of a congregation in Apollo. “I boxed for the Police Athletic League.

“Boxing is a very pure sport. It gives boys a healthy outlet. Boxing builds better boys and it helps boys become better men.”

Other Night Out features include: an Army Blackhawk helicopter on display; a Fatal Vision alcohol- and drug-impaired driving simulation; musical entertainment; state police car seat checks; kids’ activities; food vendors; and information on topics including teen drivers, public transit and social services.