4-H Guide Dog and Service Animals

4-H Thrive! Help Youth: Light Their Spark A spark is something youth are passionate about; it really fires them up and gives them joy and energy. Help youth find how this project excites them. Flex Their Brain

Guide dogs and service animals are used in a wide variety of applications in socie- The brain grows stronger ty. The program is designed to work with the Guide Dogs for the Blind training when we try new things and program and provide additional knowledge in the area of other types of service master new skills. Encourage animals. youth effort and persistence to • Learn basic principles of dog training and handling • Demonstrate knowledge of dog health and care including nutrition, common Reach Their Goals health concerns, and grooming procedures • Learn the history and use of types of service animals in America today. Help youth use the GPS sys- tem to achieve their goals. Starting Out Learning More Exploring Depth Beginner Intermediate Advanced Goal Selection: Choose one meaningful, realistic and • Learn about which • Learn about and attend • Complete the training demanding goal. animals can be used as basic obedience program with Guide Pursue Strategies: Create a service animals. training with your dog. Dogs for the Blind. step-by-step plan to make • Identify breeds of • Create a house training • Demonstrate daily choices that support service dog. plan. knowledge of what your goal. • Understand the • Learn about dog makes a good guide Shift Gears: Change strategies anatomy of a dog nutrition. dog. if you’re having difficulties • Learn how to properly • Identify common • Visit different reaching your goal. Seek groom a dog and diseases and parasites, businesses to learn identify equipment. and their treatment. about career Reflect • Research the history of • Find out what makes a opportunities with Ask project members how they Guide Dogs for the service dog different dogs. can use their passion for this Blind from a pet dog. project to be more confident, competent and caring. Discuss ways they can use their skills The activities above are ideas to inspire further project development. This is not a complete list. to make a contribution in the Expand Your Experiences! Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics • Visit your veterinarian and learn about dog first aid. • Create a display of different ways dogs are used as service animals, highlighting Resources why dogs are the best animals for the job. • Guide Dogs for the Blind: Healthy Living wel- come.guidedogs.com/ • Learn about the diseases dogs and people can share. Discuss the importance of • Guide Dogs of America: hygiene with your animal. www.guidedogsofameric a.org

The UC 4-H Youth Development Program Citizenship does not endorse, warrant, or otherwise take responsibility for the contents of unofficial • Raise your guide dog. sites. • Visit and volunteer at your local animal shelter. • Teach your club how to safely approach and interact with a dog.

Leadership • Teach others about the ways service animals participate in your community. • Take on the position of junior/teen leader to be a role model to others interested in service animals.

Connections & Events Curriculum 4-H Record Book

Presentation Days – Share • Wiggles and Wags: 4-H Record Books give what you’ve learned with http://www.4-hmall.org/ members an opportunity to others through a presenta- Product/4-hcurriculum- record events and reflect on tion. dog/08166.aspx their experiences. For each • Canine Connection project, members document Field Days – At these events, http://www.4-hmall.org/ their experiences, learning 4-H members may partici- Product/4-hcurriculum- and development. pate in a variety of contests dog/08167.aspx related to their project area. • Leading the Pack 4-H Record Books also teach http://www.4-hmall.org/ members record manage- Guide Dog Graduation: if Product/4-hcurriculum- ment skills and encourage your dog passes further dog/08168.aspx them to set goals and devel- training after he/she goes • Dog Helper’s Guide op a plan to meet those back to the Guide Dog agen- http://www.4-hmall.org/ goals. Product/4-hcurriculum-

UC ANR 4-H Youth Development Program (2016) • http://4h.ucanr.edu