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Kids and Dogs Making A Difference
By Mary Jo Zanoli
First-Town Veterinary Science 4-H Club, started by veterinarian Dr. Larry Pennington of Windsor, began with the idea of bringing kids and their pets together. Over the last 10 years, the club has grown from 8 members "learning about veterinary medicine and how to care for their pets", to over 50 members who are involved in a variety of community activities. Projects for the First-Town Veterinary Science Club include behind the scenes zoo trips, pet therapy at nursing homes, watching equine acupuncture treatments, veterinary science projects, parade marches, and lots of fundraising.
The biggest fundraiser is the annual Dog Walk and Dog Fair and Northwest Park in Windsor. Now in its 3rd year, the event raises money to help rescue, foster, and train service dogs that are later given to a needy wheelchair bound person. The cost of raising a service dog is approximately $15,000, compared with the cost of buying a trained service dog, which is $20,000-25,000. The dog walk is part of an all day program that also includes games, music, raffles, silent auctions, a dog show, and a dog fair. Chance was the first dog that funds from the Dog Walk helped raise and train. Chance, an 11 month Golden Retriever at the time of his rescue, was found roaming the streets of Harlem NY. He became the club’s original project dog. After months of fostering and then professional training, Chance was matched with Windsor resident Juneal Bartlett. She is a wheelchair bound retired school teacher whose live has been changed by receiving the gift of Chance. In Dr. Pennington’s words, "Chance has changed her life. He brings her walker while she is in bed, gets her reading glasses, brings her objects off the table, opens the refrigerator door, and, most importantly, provides great companionship".
The second service dog, C.J., is presently with the Dog Doctor Elissa Edson, under professional training. The 1st Town 4-H Club generally sponsors one dog a year, although they may choose to do more than that. Dog selection is done by analyzing the potential dogs through a series of personality tests, a task done by a dog trainer, Dr. Pennington, and the rescue group. After a dog is chosen, the dog lives within a foster family provided by one of the members of the 4-H club. It is in this family that the dogs are redirected and taught what good behavior is, and how to act socially. After the dog has matured some, the dog is put into professional training. Many of the 4-H kids are still involved with the dogs training at this point, and learn what is expected of a service dog and how the dog is trained for this purpose.
Of course the 4-H kids that are a part of this club bond with the dogs they save and help rehome. Michael Norman, 13 years old, and his family provided a foster home for both Chance and C.J. Michael’s job was to work with the dogs and teach them basic commands. As a whole, the entire 4-H Club has been a part of Chance and CJ’s success. They fundraise for the Dog Walk by soliciting business and family members for advertising sponsorships, and volunteer to work at the Dog Walk and Dog Fair. The kids also walk alongside the dogs in the parades, make floats, have been on TV, and featured in newspaper stories because of their efforts. Experiencing how Chance has changed Juneal Bartlett’s life has touched the lives of all the kids involved as well, and given all in the project a sense of connection and community. Dr. Pennington says, " I don’t know that I’ve ever accomplished something as significant, or been more proud of anything than this ongoing project. It touches so many lives and develops so much momentum each year because it lifts the heart".
For more information on the Dog Walk and Dog Fair, or on 1st Town Veterinary Science 4-H Club, visit www.dogwalk.org.
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