Scout's project aids shelterdogs
RENFREW — Dogs at the Butler County Humane Society have a chance to be more active thanks to a Girl Scout's Gold Award project.
Anna Rickman, 17, recently earned a Gold Award — the highest such award in the Girl Scouts — after working on a project for the Butler County shelter. That project included the organization, design and construction of a rally obedience trail at the humane society's headquarters.
The course aims to provide shelter dogs with exercise and interaction, which eventually could help them be placed in new homes. It consists of eight individual agility tests aimed at challenging dogs both mentally and physically.
Anna, a North Sewickley Township resident, also created a brochure outlining tests and stations. She said the goal of the course is to allow dogs and potential adopters to interact prior to adoption to determine whether they are compatible.
Debbie Aglio, humane society assistant executive director, said the course is operational, but staff and volunteers have not yet had the chance to fully take advantage of it due to the weather. She pointed out that once temperatures warm up and the ground dries, the course will offer exercise and enrichment opportunities for dogs waiting for adoption.
She said the course includes a beginner station for dogs to practice “stay” and command prompts as well as table exercises for balance, coordination and confidence. There is also a ramp, tunnel run and jumps as well as a balance beam and leading poles for increased agility and obedience.
“We'll reap the benefits here for years to come,” Aglio said.
Aglio said Anna and her mother, Barbara, approached the humane society with the idea for the project, and it happened to be something that was already on a wish list for the organization.
“They're very dedicated and very committed to helping animals,” Aglio said.Finished in September, the project took more than 200 hours to complete. Anna will help maintain the trail, beginning with the staining of the obstacles later this spring. She will officially receive her award in May.Anna completed her project as an independent Girl Scout after her local troop disbanded. The concept of “indie” Girl Scouts is not uncommon, according to information from Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania.The option is available to girls when there aren't troops available in an area or if other extracurricular activities keep them from joining a troop. The Individually Registered Girl Scout program allows participants to pick and choose programs and activities. The program is open to all girls in kindergarten through 12th grade and completed with the help of a parent or adult mentor. Indie scouts are still able to attend programs, earn badges and attend events held by troops.Stefanie Marshall, Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania public relations and marketing associate, said girls in Anna's situation can participate in any activity open to their grade level. That also includes selling Girl Scout cookies. According to Marshall, 3.5 percent of Gold Award Girl Scouts earned their award as individually registered members since 2014.
