ATSSA Signal March/April 2020

American Traffic Safety Services Association 38 The Foundation Webster the beagle turns ATSSA member into children’s author Proceeds benefit ATSS Foundation and other charitable groups When Frank Payne attended James Madison University, neither he nor his professors imagined himever becoming a published author. But a beagle that failed as a hunting dog inspired this partner at P.D. Brooks Traffic Control inMechanicsville, Va., to pursue that path. At 53, he’s nowwritten his first children’s book called “Webster theBeagle” andhas a sequel in the works. “When I was at JMU in English class, I never thought I’dbeawriter, that’s for sure,” said Payne, who majored in business admin - istration at the Harrisonburg, Va. school and now lives in the Richmond area. Proceeds from the book go to nonprofits that support children or animals. Among the beneficiaries is The ATSS Foundation, which supports the childrenand spouses ofpeoplekilledor seriously injured inwork zonecrashes. Asof theendof 2019, Payne saidhehadsoldmorethan1,200booksand donatedmore than $10,500 to charities. Paynewas taking abreakwhiledeer hunt - ing in January 2005whenWebster found him, instantly jumped onto his lap and started licking him. The young dog had been wandering in the woods alone for two days by then and was happy to find a companion. Payne returned Webster to his kennel but discovered the gregarious canine had never taken to hunting so the owner gladly tradedhimfor twobagsof dog food. “He was very special. I could tell already,” Payne said. After getting the dog home, Payne discov - eredWebster loved interactingwithevery - one. That’s what led him to get the dog trained to visit children in hospitals and adults in nursing homes and rehabilita - tion centers. The pair first worked with the Caring Canines group and then joined “Dogs on One of Webster’s favorite spots to visit with his family was the local children’s hospital. It was there where he let the children run their hands through his fur or scratch his belly. When he saw how happy the kids were when they petted him, Webster knew he had a special job and he was happy to do it. Frank Payne with his beagle, Webster