4-H Members Compete in Virtual Dog Show
By: Melissa Henry, 4-H Agent
Over the past few months, the Putnam County 4-H program has looked quite different thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was hard to make adjustments to a program known for its hands-on educational activities. After the Putnam County Fair and the Youth Dog Show was cancelled, the 4-H program jumped in and created a Virtual 4-H Dog Show to help fill in that gap.
First a 4-H Online Dog Camp was created to help the 4-H members prepare for the show. The camp included videos related to dog care and health and also included training videos to teacher youth about showmanship and obedience. Survey comments from the participants stated, “I love doing stuff with my dog and this was the perfect opportunity,” and “it was fun, thanks for doing this for us.”
Several Putnam County 4-H members jumped at the chance to be involved in a virtual dog show allowing them the chance to continue to be involved in 4-H competitions. There were 7 youth that participated in the Dog Skillathon which is test of dog knowledge related to health, behavior, and general care. Kayla Mick received 1st place in the senior high division and in the junior high division Shine Rowland was 1st place, Molly Dodson was 2nd place, and Abby Dodson was 3rd place. Other participants included Carly Phillips, Kylie Bohannon, and London Arwood, who was a guest 4-H’er from Fayette County.
Results from the Virtual Dog Show, in the senior high division, Kayla Mick received 1st place in costume, best trick, and longest ears. In the junior high division, Molly Dodson received 1st place in costume, Abby Dodson received 1st place in best trick and 2nd place in costume, Kylie Bohannon received 3rd place in costume and London Arwood received 2nd place in best trick and 1st place in showmanship and obedience.
Special thanks to teen leaders Bailey Steger and Kayla Mick for creating videos for the online dog camp and to Volunteer Leader Hannah Steger to creating videos for the online dog camp and for serving as the show judge.
Putnam County 4-H programs are open to all 4-H members in 4th – 12th grades. For more information on becoming involved in 4-H activities or to sponsor 4-H programs contact the Putnam County 4-H Office at 526-4561.
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Photo Captions
Senior costume: Kayla Mick shows off her dog’s costume as part of the Virtual 4-H Dog Show.
Jr high costume: Molly Dodson created this ghostbusters costume and received 1st place in the junior high division.
Jr high best trick: In this screenshot, Abby Dodson works with her dog earning 1st place for best trick in the Virtual 4-H Dog Show
Training video: In this screenshot, volunteer leader, Hannah Steger (left) and teen leader, Bailey Steger teach others about showmanship using Hannah’s dog Annie
Melissa Henry
Extension Agent
4-H Youth Development
UT Extension – Putnam County
- S. Walnut Ave. Room 4
Cookeville, TN 38501