There was plenty of smiles and reptiles when police and Zoo-To-You recently paid a visit to ARC disability services.
ARC Disabilities Service Adopt-a-Cop Senior Constable Phil Lawton jumped at the opportunity to delight his adoptees with the slithery and scaly reptiles after he was approached by Constable Matt Cornish who offered to arrange the visit through close connections with local business, Zoo-to-You.
From left: Constable Matt Pedlow, Jodi, Senior Constable Phil Lawton and Constable Matt Cornish with Spike, Chomp and Ebony.
Jodi from Zoo-to-You was only too happy to bundle up her reptiles and drop in on the service centre with Senior Constable Lawton and Constables Matt Cornish and Matt Pedlow.
Constable Matt Cornish, who is all too familiar with handling reptiles, played a very cheeky trick on Constable Matt Pedlow who is not so familiar with handling reptiles, in fact he would rather run a mile than hold one.
Grinning and bearing it; Constable Pedlow shows off ‘Ebony’.
“Constable Cornish was standing in front of his crowd of 25 people and there was a roar of excited laughter as he introduced ‘Ebony’, a black headed python. He looked straight at Constable Pedlow and with a big smile on his face he headed towards him with ‘Ebony’” said Senior Constable Lawton.
“Being the true professional that he is, despite his fear of snakes Constable Pedlow gritted his teeth and carefully held on to Ebony. He even took her around the room for everyone to hold and touch.”
Next out for show-and-tell was ‘Spike’, a bearded dragon. This time it was Senior Constable Lawton’s turn. All was going well until ‘Spike’ ran up Senior Constable Lawton’s arm and over his shoulder prompting a rescue from Jodi.
Roars of laughter as ‘Spike’ heads off up Senior Constable Lawton’s shoulder.
Without a doubt the highlight reptile of the visit was ‘Chomp’, a salt water crocodile. ‘Chomp’ was greeted with cheers, clapping and laughter as he made his way around the room posing for photos.
Constable Matt Cornish shows off crowd favourite ‘Chomp’.
“The guys and girls from ARC were the stars on the day. They were beside themselves with excitement at the opportunity to look, touch and hold the amazing Australian reptiles. A big thankyou is extended to Jodi for giving up her time to bring along ‘Ebony’, ‘Spike’ and ‘Chomp’ who brought plenty of smiles to the faces of the ARC Disability Services clients” said Senior Constable Lawton.