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
Twenty Master Gardeners recently completed the volunteers hours required to become Peninsula Tree Stewards and received their graduation certificates and Tree Steward pins at the January 2010 meeting in York County. Doris Heath, VCE-James City County Unit Coordinator made the presentation to the seven Master Gardeners from James City County/Williamsburg.
The James City County project was a tree survey of the Ambler property, land adjacent to the Jamestown Settlement. Their work will be an invaluable aid in maintaining the trees on the property.
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.