Vernon County 4-H Pet Pals program, a new activity scheduled to begin in the fall

By Colette Lefebvre

Nevada Daily Mail

Vernon County 4-H is planning to launch a new Pet Pals program this fall. Modeled from an Ohio State University Pet Pals program, Vernon County University of Missouri Extension youth specialist Carol Parmenter said it's a project she believes can work in Vernon County as well.

The mission statement for this new activity is "Making connections with the assistance of animals while educating and promoting the human-animal bond and encouraging positive youth development."

Gwen Snead, who's helping to coordinate the effort, said 4-H Pet Pals is "open to any animals except for reptiles and fish."

This program is geared toward children and is akin to the Wonderful Animals Giving Support programs but is organized differently to accommodate the needs of younger participants.

"It is about keeping the youth interested. Adults can attend eight hour workshops, but children cannot." said Snead.

Volunteers will teach the children the skills that are needed to train their pets to participate as youth pet teams in animal-assisted activities.

"Youth become models for residents in healthcare facilities and their communities of the significance of human companion animal interaction and the importance of intergenerational relationships." states the Pet Pals literature.

In order for children to be in Pet Pals they need to meet certain criteria. They must be at least 8 as of Jan. 1 of the current year and not older than 18. The children must either have to own or have access to a pet. Dogs and cats must be at least 1 year old prior to the first visit to a healthcare facility. Rabbits and guinea pigs must be at least six months old prior to the first visit to a healthcare facility. Also, the children must successfully complete the activities in the 4-H Pet Pals curriculum.

Participants also must make a commitment to visit healthcare facilities upon completion of the curriculum. The desired outcome for 4-H Pet Pal members will be to learn to select, socialize and train their pets for animal-assisted activities. They also have to learn animal handling skills to enhance animal assisted activities and to train pets at a level where they could be certified by WAGS and/or the Delta Society. Also, to have more respect for their animals because of their worth.

"We are hoping that the children will want to move on to WAGS after they are finished with Pet Pals." said Snead.

For more information contact Snead at (417) 667-2074, Nettie Rummel at (417) 667-7361 or Parmenter at (417) 448-2560.