Thanks to a generous donation from six-year-old Makenna Maudlin and Clipper Distributing Company, the Maryville Fire Department has equipped its trucks with new specialized pet oxygen mask kits to help save animals from smoke inhalation and emergencies.
MARYVILLE, MO — A 6-year-old’s concern for her own dogs and other pets in the community has helped place new lifesaving equipment aboard Maryville Fire Department trucks.
Clipper Distributing Company LLC and Makenna Maudlin, 6, recently donated two pet oxygen mask kits to the Maryville Fire Department. The masks are specifically designed to provide supplemental oxygen to animals rescued from fires and other emergencies.
Makenna’s mother works for Clipper, which recently provided similar equipment to another area fire department. When Makenna learned what the masks were used for, she immediately thought about her own dogs and wanted to make sure Maryville firefighters had the same equipment if her pets — or someone else’s — ever needed help.
“Makenna saw something that could help save an animal’s life and immediately thought about her own pets and the pets throughout our community,” said Maryville Fire Chief Jace Pine. “For a 6-year-old to recognize that need and want to make sure her firefighters have the right equipment is pretty special. We are grateful to Makenna, her family and Clipper for making that happen.”
The need for this type of equipment is one Maryville firefighters have experienced firsthand. In February 2024, firefighters rescued two dogs from a house fire that were barely breathing. Firefighters and EMS administered oxygen using a standard nonrebreather mask designed for people, and both dogs recovered. Two months earlier, firefighters responded to the December 2023 fire at the New Nodaway Humane Society, where multiple animals were at risk of smoke inhalation.
The two kits will be placed on Maryville Fire Department apparatus and available for firefighters to use when animals are affected by smoke or other emergencies requiring supplemental oxygen.
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