News
4-H Youth Complete Therapy Dog Training
Four 4-H youth successfully completed Therapy Dog Training. The course lasted ten weeks and was instructed by Barbara Foley, 4-H Adult Volunteer. The youth trained with their animals to become certified therapy dogs through Therapy Dog International (TDI). In order to successfully complete the TDI evaluation, the youth had to have their animals visit with strangers that are using medical equipment (crutches, wheel chair, and walker); sit, down, and stay; walk past food and leave it; leave the sight of their owner for three minutes without becoming upset; and not react to loud noises. The 4-H youth will become members of the 4-H Furry Friends PetPALS club this fall. The 4-H Furry Friends PetPALS club conducts therapy training visits to Avalaon, Dominion Village, Barnes and Noble, and Blayton House. For more information about 4-H, contact Jeremy Johnson, 4-H Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension – James City County at jejohns1@vt.edu or 757-564-2170.
Peninsula Tree Stewards
Peninsula Tree Stewards
Twenty Master Gardeners recently completed the classroom training to become Peninsula Tree Stewards: one from Gloucester, five from Hampton, three from Newport News, seven from Williamsburg/James City County and four from York County. Projects chosen to complete training requirements include:
● Compilation and organization of frequently asked questions of Gloucester Master Gardeners
● Creating and marking a Self-Guided Tour in the New MG Arboretum at Blue Bird Gap Farm behind the Hampton MG Demonstration Garde
● A tree Inventory of Gosnold's Hope Park, one of Hampton 's major parks
● An educational opportunity for children involving Planting and Care of an Apple Tree in the Grin and Grow Garden in Newport News
● Pruning Instruction for MG interns in Newport News Park
● A Tree Survey of the Ambler Property adjacent to the Jamestown Settlement in James City County
● An Inventory of the plantings along the Riverwalk in York County
The volunteer work done by Tree Stewards, providing education in all aspects of tree planting and care, increases tree health, and benefits the community by increasing awareness of the importance of trees.