Matt Nickl, chief of Cranberry Township EMS, organizes items for “sensory” bags on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The bags will be placed in their ambulances for children, neurodivergent patients, anxious parents and the elderly. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

CRANBERRY TWP — More than 100 sensory items have been donated to township EMS as part of its sensory bag project.

“The goal is to provide distraction and comfort,” said Mandy Cousin’s, Cranberry Township EMS outreach coordinator.

Sensory items appeal to the five senses of a patient in an effort to calm or soothe them.

“Specifically, we were thinking toward the neurodivergent children or adults,” Cousins said. “Being in an ambulance is a very scary or different and unexpected thing. Anything we can do to help with keeping them a little calmer — that calm can help with our care, because it allows us to communicate with them better.”

Every toy and object in the colorful collection serves a purpose. Each one plays an important role for health care providers.