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Masontown officer, K-9 fulfill young boy’s dreams

By Olivia Goudy ogoudy@heraldstandard.Com 5 min read
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Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard

Masontown K-9 Officer Mike Yeager lets Isaac Donaldson, 7, pet his K-9 officer Brony. Isaac had brain surgery in the summer of 2012 and tires easily from his condition, Arnold-Chiari Malformation. It is his dream to one day become a K-9 officer. Every night, Donaldson prays for Yeager and Brony, according to his grandmother Robin Donaldson.

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Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard

Masontown K-9 Officer Mike Yeager embraces Isaac Donaldson, while his grandmother Robin Donaldson watches. Isaac who has talked about being a K-9 officer since he was 2 years old, met Yeager and his K-9 Brony after carrying around a picture of them he was given previously. “You’re one of the bravest guys I know. You know that, right?” said Yeager as he said goodbye to Issac.

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Isaac watches a demonstration by Yeager, Brony and Pennsylvania state constable Robert Smith (outfitted in “bite suit”), at Masontown-German Park, Wednesday.

Amanda Steen | Herald-Standard

Isaac Donaldson might be a little fellow of few words, but his excitement was evident as he told his mother that “today was the best day ever,” while leaving the Masontown-German Park on Wednesday.

The elated words came after the 7-year-old boy got to meet a pair of heroes in his eyes — Masontown police officer and K-9 handler Mike Yeager and K-9 Brony.

Isaac’s mother, Katina Donaldson, and grandmother, Robin Donaldson, all from White, watched as the young boy stood next to Yeager, ready to unleash Brony on the “bad guy,” constable Robert Smith, hiding at the edge of the woods.

Decked out in a dark “bite suit,” meant to protect the wearer from canine teeth and claws, Smith jogged along the field as Isaac and Yeager shouted, “Police K-9! Stop or we will send the dog.”

Isaac proceeded to push the button to release Brony from the K-9 vehicle and watch as he slammed into Smith, jaw clamping on his protected arm. Yeager then issued a command for Brony to release Smith.

“This is a dream come true for him, and for us, to see him so happy,” his grandmother said, watching as her grandson gently stroked the German shepherd’s dark fur.

Isaac wants to be a police officer one day, regardless of his serious health concerns. Diagnosed with Arnold-Chiari Malformation, the young boy often suffers from migraines and nerve discomfort.

Just two years ago, Isaac had brain surgery to reduce the swelling of his brain near the spinal column. While the surgery was successful, Isaac still has side effects from the brain birth defect and may have to undergo another corrective surgery later in life when his skull and brain are fully developed.

One of the side effects is a depleted immune system. Two winters ago, Isaac had strep throat 13 times and pneumonia three times.

Wednesday’s events were a surprise for Isaac after he completed another round of bloodwork. He arrived at the Masontown police station with a photo of Yeager and Brony in hand.

Isaac had been carrying the photo since borough Mayor Toni Petrus gave it to him at a recent visit to the sheriff’s office. She then arranged for the meet-and-greet.

“He sleeps with it. He told me, ‘Mom, I can’t stop staring at it,'” his mother said.

“His eyes just lit up when he saw the vehicle,” said Masontown police Chief Joe Ryan.

Yeager gave the family a tour of the police station and even presented Isaac with his own, personalized K-9 T-shirt, patches, stickers and dog leash. Yeager also signed the glossy photo that Isaac held so dearly.

“Any time you have kids, especially with health issues, you want to give them what they really want,” said Ryan. “We do things like this whenever the opportunity arises. We’re never too busy to take time for a child.”

Because of the illness, Isaac is both cyber schooled and home-schooled as his mother continues her classes in early childhood education in an online degree program. In just a few short days, Isaac will be starting class in grade two.

Oftentimes when they are driving to and from blood work or doctor’s appointments, Isaac will look for wrongdoers on the roadways, pointing out people who run stop signs or red lights.

His mother said that being an officer has been Isaac’s dream since he was 2 years old.

“People say he might outgrow (wanting to be an officer), but I don’t think so,” said his mother, noting that Isaac is also very respectful of service men and women, security guards and officers.

“He always wants to shake their hands and say thank you,” she said. “He might be shy and afraid to talk to people, but he’ll go right up and talk to firemen or military or police.”

Katina Donaldson said her son is “a gift from God.” As a cancer survivor, she didn’t believe she’d be able to have children.

“I found out I was pregnant on Easter, and the due date was around Christmas,” she said. “People tell me that he was put on the Earth to do great things. He’s our gift. He was meant to be.”

Like other children full of energy, Isaac still enjoys riding his bike and playing with his puppies, Zeus and Buddy, two German shepherd mixes. When he’s older, he wants to attend junior police camps and eventually pursue a career in the field.

When asked by Yeager why he wanted to be a cop, Isaac said, “To arrest people who are being bad.”

“He’s so strong — stronger than all of us combined,” said Ryan.

“He’ll talk about this for the rest of his life,” said Robin Donaldson. “You made his world.”

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