CLALLAM BAY — Inmates of the Clallam Bay Corrections Center are among thousands of people around the world who are lifting the spirits of a 7-year-old girl in Wisconsin who is battling a rare form of brain cancer — and who loves dogs.
Jesse and Jason, cellmates who rehabilitate dogs together in the prison’s dog handling program, said they sent a canine-themed care package to Emma Mertens of Hartland, Wisc., so that they could make her smile as she fights cancer.
“It was just an opportunity to give back to a little girl who is having hard times, her and her family,” Jason said. “With kids, it hits a soft spot. It’s an opportunity to do something to make her smile.”
The state Department of Corrections said it generally does not provide the last names of inmates and would not allow photos that identified inmates. Jesse and Jason also said they did not want credit.
Jason made a bracelet with a paw print and Emma’s name while Jesse drew a portrait of Emma for her parents and wrote a card for Emma. Jesse said he did not sign the portrait because he didn’t want credit for it.
Inmates also made a stuffed dog for Emma using donated recycled scrap materials from the prison’s Bears Behind Bars program. Inmates in Bears Behind Bars make stuffed animals that the prison donates to hospitals to give to sick children.
Jesse and Jason said they both have children in their lives — Jason is a father and Jesse is an uncle — and couldn’t imagine seeing them go through what Emma is facing.
Shasta chases after a ball at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)
“We would definitely like a heads-up on how Emma’s been doing,” Jason said. “It’s been awhile since we’ve heard anything.”
Emma’s father, Jeff Mertens, said that Emma received the package Thursday and that she loves it. He said it was evident the inmates who put the care package together had talent.
“We’re appreciative of everyone who takes the time to put a smile on her face. It’s remarkable how many caring people there are in the world,” Jeff said.
Emma recently underwent radiation treatment for her form of cancer, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. The rare form of cancer mainly impacts children between 5 and 7 years old and accounts for 10 percent to 15 percent of all brain tumors diagnosed in children.
Fewer than 10 percent of children with DIPG survive two years after diagnosis.
Jeff said that after radiation therapy the tumor has shrunk and that they are hoping for good news when she has her next MRI on July 5. He said Emma has had difficulty walking on her own and has been vomiting recently.
“We’re hoping to see some progress with this tumor shrinking,” Jeff said. “We’re in a waiting game. We’re trying to enjoy every minute of every day and it’s up to how she feels that day.”
Emma’s family and friends began sending Emma cute pictures of their pups and letters that were “written” by their dogs to cheer up Emma.
Her family shared the pictures online and they went viral. Jeff said Emma has received more than 250,000 pieces of mail from people across the world, including two other prisons.
“There are good people everywhere and it’s really, really overwhelming when you’re going through a crisis like this to see so many people try to make a difference in a 7-year-old girl’s life,” Jeff said. “I think there’s good in everybody.”
CBCC Administrative Assistant Tanja Cain heard about Emma’s story from a coworker who had read about it online.
Three dogs walk behind an inmate at Clallam Bay Corrections Center. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)
Emma’s fondness of dogs reminded Cain of how much inmates in the dog handling program adore the dogs they train, so she pitched the idea of sending a package to Emma from inmates in the program.
She said the inmates took the idea and ran with it.
“I think that shows a lot of their character and their growth,” Cain said. “Them wanting to give back like that and not wanting anybody to know … it says a lot about them.”
Jesse and Jason said the dog training program, sponsored by the Sequim-based Welfare for Animals Guild, is an opportunity for them to give back to the community. They train difficult dogs so that they can be adopted into good homes.
The program has helped find homes for more than 160 dogs and 73 puppies to date.
Jesse said when he first started serving time in prison in about 1999, the only thing he cared about was himself.
“When I got in, I was real selfish. Whatever I wanted to do, that’s what I was going to do that day,” Jesse said. “Being with the dogs has shown me to care about something other than myself. His needs come before mine.”
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
