Bark on the Ridge 4-H fundraiser will be held
Bark on the Ridge will have face painting, a photo booth, vendors, concessions from Bowers Cafe, a dog costume contest and a silent auction that will benefit the program.
A little-known 4-H program will hold an event to spread some awareness on what they have to offer in Holmes County.
The Bark on the Ridge 4-H fundraiser will be held Oct. 27 from 1-5 p.m. at Harvest Ridge in Millersburg.
The event is free to the public and will feature a K9 demonstration from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, and program director Melissa Boughman said an Ohio State judge will be on hand to do 20- to 30-minute sessions on how to teach dogs basic commands.
A rally course will be set up as well as an obstacle course and some agility equipment with some demonstrations from 4-H advisers so the public can see what the program teaches the students and their dogs.
Bark on the Ridge will have face painting, a photo booth, vendors, concessions from Bowers Cafe and a silent auction that will benefit the program. There also will be a dog costume contest and show as well.
“We would love to do this yearly,” Boughman said. “There is a huge niche for pets and activities to do with dogs. We want to bring more to Holmes County, not just to 4-H, but to the whole community.”
Boughman wants to bring more awareness for the 4-H program to the area. “This is a program that teaches dog obedience, showmanship and agility. Not a lot of people know about it,” she said.
Boughman said the program used to be active in the area, then went away for about 10-15 years and has been back now for four years. “We wanted to show that kids can do more than just livestock in 4-H,” she said.
This year the 4-H kids involved in the dog program showed at the Holmes County Fair with a judge from Ohio State coming to test their skill level and experience with the animals.
Kids can do basic dog obedience in the program, as well as help train work dogs for service or therapy. “Family pets can be more than just well behaved,” Boughman said, mentioning the showmanship and agility work the club is doing.
While not a lot of people know about the agility courses, rally courses and obstacles the club can teach the dogs to run and interact with, Boughman wants to bring more awareness to these activities as something fun kids can do with their animals.
“It’s pretty new to the community, and we want to spark more interest,” she said. “We want to let the kids have fun with the agility. It’s not just a dog at home; you can have more fun and do activities with it.”
In February the 4-H year will begin again, and the group will hold a dog clinic in March. The program will be explained then, and in mid-April the weekly classes will begin on Monday nights until the fair. “We have an hour session every week with all the kids,” Boughman
said.
Though the program is through 4-H, it is not its own 4-H club. Kids must be part of a 4-H club to participate. If they are not already in a club, Boughman can help them find one so they can take part. “I’d like to have a Dog 4-H Club,” she said.
Anyone interested in learning more about the program or event can call Boughman at 330-763-4900. The event has its own Facebook page, Bark on the Ridge Fundraiser Event, where people can find more information.