Chicken Whisperer

AVMA video promotes animal welfare policy—Pain control measures for cattle recommended

(Schaumburg, IL) January 6, 2011—The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has released a new video promoting its policy on how to reduce pain for cattle during a common surgical procedure—dehorning.

Many breeds of cattle have horns, which are often removed early in life to protect other animals and farmers from injury. The AVMA policy and this informational video offer guidance to help make this procedure as comfortable as possible for animals.

4-H Paws-N-Claws cat club wins the Green and White Award at Jefferson County Fair!

Congratulations to the Paws-N-Claws 4-H cat club for winning the coveted Green and White Award at the Jefferson County Fair for the best decorated building!

Memorial for 'Doc Tony' set Thursday at Fort Worden

Article published Aug 10, 2010
Memorial for 'Doc Tony' set Thursday at Fort Worden

By Charlie Bermant
Peninsula Daily News


PORT TOWNSEND ­ -- Veterinarian Anton Rogstad, who was known throughout East Jefferson County as "Doc Tony," will be eulogized at a celebration of life service at 5 p.m. Thursday in McCurdy Pavilion at Fort Worden State Park.

Rogstad, 52, died at his home in Chimacum on Aug. 1 after a heart attack.

The service will be officiated by the Rev. Pamela Douglas-Smith of Unity Church of Port Townsend.

Smith is a friend of the Rogstad family, which included Doc Tony and his wife, Jeanette.

The couple had no kids of their own but informally adopted five children, according to Smith.

According to Sgt. Phil Henry of the Department of Fish and Wildlife who was both a colleague of and a friend to Rogstad, "the animals were their kids."

Several people recalled Rogstad's easy nature with animals, saying that he would "get down on the floor and look the dog in the eye" to establish a bond with the animals.

Rogstad operated Chimacum Valley Veterinary Hospital on Chimacum Road and the Pet Townsend animal clinic, which helped to finance the rescue operations.

Along with his wife, he ran TJ's Wildlife Center in Chimacum, which handled thousands of wild creatures with 40 to 50 volunteers and six veterinarians involved.

Rogstad was in the process of selling the veterinary practice to two other vets, Dr. Jeff Highbarger and Dr. Abbie Doll, at the time of his death, although he had planned to continue the operation of the wildlife center along with his wife, according to Smith.

"It was almost as if he knew something was going to happen, and he wanted to make sure everything was going to continue on the right track," Smith said.

After hearing through a broker that Rogstad was interested in selling the practice about four months ago, Doll and Highbarger visited Rogstad to inspect the operation.

"We thought we were interviewing him," she said.

"But it turned out that he was interviewing us."

The two doctors agreed to buy the practice and moved from their homes in Florida to Chimacum two weeks before Rogstad died.

With the help of Dr. Robert Nathan, who was already working in the Chimacum clinic, the new owners began seeing all or Rogstad's patients when the clinic reopened Aug. 3.

An informal service was held on Friday at H.J. Carroll Park in Chimacum for family members and a select group of animals.

Thursday's service is held in an auditorium with a 1,200-seat capacity, but no animals will be allowed.

However, there will be six tables set up where attendees can contribute to memory books, according to Smith.

"He was an amazing person who really made a difference," Smith said.

"He took care of the animals but also took care of people and helped them through any crisis they were having with their pets."

________

Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.

Note: "Dr. Tony," as he was affectionately called by our 4-H animal club members, was an important contributor to 4-H animal activities in Jefferson County. His abiding love for animals and the people who cared for them will be sorely missed. We in the 4-H family feel fortunate to have known such a dedicated and caring person as Dr. Tony. We feel doubly fortunate that the children of our county had the chance to work with Dr. Tony and to see what a special person he was. We believe that the positive example that Dr. Tony set for our young people will inspire them to serve in the future.

Zach Allen at the Jefferson County Fair

Zach Allen, 9, shaves the underbelly of his 1-year-old LaMancha goat in preparation for this week's Jefferson County Fair. Come see the people, plants, animals, vegetables, art and entertainment at the Fair this Friday through Sunday in Port Townsend.

Photo by Nicholas Johnson, http://ptleader.com

Walla Walla 4-H’er Nicole Aichele Breaks World Barrel Racing Record

AMELIA VENEZIANO, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

WALLA WALLA - Nicole Aichele's heart sank when she watched friend and rival Courtney Frazier's barrel race Memorial Day weekend in Pasco. Frazier beat the TRAC arena record, spinning through in 16.691. Aichele, the last rider up, knew she'd have to make it fast. "I knew she broke the arena record, and she was really fast," Aichele said. "I knew it'd have to be all or nothing, and I thought, ‘I'd better go for it.'" So Aichele leaned forward and whispered in Blondie, her Palomino mare's, ear.
"Blondie loves attention. She's really spoiled," Aichele said. "I told her if she ran a ‘16,' I'd ride in the trailer with her back to Walla Walla."

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From Grass to Cheese: The Nolan Family Farm

From Grass to Cheese: The Nolan Family Farm from Milk Products on Vimeo.

A small sample from a feature length documentary about the Nolan's family-run dairy farm in Ohio and their venture into cheese making. This project is currently under production and needs your support please visit tinyurl.com/grasstocheese

Bishop Dairy in Chimacum, Washington

Gerald Bishop of the Bishop Dairy in Chimacum, WA recently talked with Sophie Gilbert, 4-H Network News reporter. Sophie asked him to share a little about the history connected with the Bishop Dairy, the establishment of a healthy herd, and some of the challenges related to dairy management and marketing in the 21st Century. Gerald had a lot to say and much information to share.

Chicken camp: Girls teach fowl ways

Gazettetimes.com
Two local girls have found a way to beat summer boredom and make some pocket money by teaching their friends and classmates the skills that their family has been honing for years: chicken care.

Kelly and Ginger Becker, aged 13 and 10, opened their very first "chicken camp" this week to a small group of friends to teach them about the finer points of caring for - and showing - chickens.

Learn More

Local 4-H club lend a hand to Brockton dog shelter

The Enterprise of Brockton, Mass.
www.enterprisenews.com
Members of the Thunder Over & Under 4-H Dog Agility Club of Plympton collected more than $35,000 in Shaw's Supermarket grocery receipts from local residents to net a $350 donation for the Brockton Blue Dog Shelter, which finds homes for homeless dogs in the region.
By Maria Papadopoulos
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
BROCKTON — Cheryl Acampora reached out to kiss Blue, an 8-year-old Neapolitan Mastiff, the founding dog of the Brockton Blue Dog Shelter on West Chestnut Street.
The furry affection followed a fundraising drive and donations to the shelter by members of the Thunder Over & Under 4-H Dog Agility Club of Plympton.
Its members, who all live outside of Brockton, collected more than $35,000 in Shaw's Supermarket grocery receipts from local residents to net a $350 donation for the shelter, which finds homes for homeless dogs in the region.
"I feel grateful that I can help other dogs and people," said Acampora, 12, of Pembroke, as she and other girls canoodled with dogs at the shelter.
The girls also donated pet supplies, toys, leashes, bedding, office and cleaning supplies, and dog crates to the shelter, said shelter volunteer Marion McEwan.
"We just appreciate their support so much," McEwan said. "It really meant a lot to all the shelter dogs."

Check out these amazing hopping 4-H rabbits from Calgary!

Global TV Broadcast of the Calgary 4-H Rabbit Hopping

4-H Horse Show a success!

Graphic design by Sally Chapin, WSU Jefferson County Extension receptionist! Thanks, Sally, for your wonderful art work!

4-H trains a young heifer for fair! Session I

Halie Dengler, Chimacum High School student and 4-H Network News reporter in Jefferson County, WA, has her first session in training a young Angus heifer for fair. Her 4-H leader is Julie Boggs, well-known beef breeder. Julie emphasizes safety and grooming care in this video. Featured heifer: Heather. Pamela Roberts, camera. Halie Dengler, editor.

Handling Broilers for Showmanship

The LSU AgCenter 4-H and FFA Junior Showmanship show gives members a chance to show their broilers. This guide shows how to handle your broiler for exhibition showmanship.

Fun With Chickens - Exhibition Showmanship

4-H and FFA members share their experiences raising and showing poultry at the LSU AgCenter Junior Showmanship Show.

Paws-N-Claws 4-H Cat Show 2009!

Laurie Hampton, 4-H leader of the Paws-N-Claws cat club, leads this annual Cat Show in Jefferson County, Washington State. Featured are kids and cats in the Washington State 4-H Cat Project! Cat Project Poster by 4-H member, Patricia Lamas. Pamela Roberts, videographer.

Washington 4-Hers place first in presentations at the 2008 Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup!

On November 8, 2008, 354 4-H youth from 30 states competed in Louisville, KY. This was the largest contest in the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup history. The high individuals in each contest each received a $500 scholarship from the American Quarter Horse Association.

Congratulations go to:

Team Presentation Champions
Caitlyn Hammersley and Sophia Howard, Washington State
Award: $500 Scholarship from AQHA and trophy from NAILE
Pictured above with Coach and AQHA Director Norm Luba

The Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup serves as the final destination for about 350 4-Hers involved in the 4-H Horse Program each year. Champions of the State 4-H Horse Contests compete in one of several contests:

* Horse Judging
* Hippology
* Horse Bowl
* Public Speaking
* Individual Presentation
* Team Presentation

The Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup provides opportunities for these 4-Hers to showcase their horse management and communications skills, as well as, equine knowledge.

This contest is the ultimate experience that recognizes 4-Hers' achievements within the horse program.

See http://www.4hroundup.com/ for details!

Clallam County 4-H Cat Show a success!

Click on photo to open larger file.

Front - Dakota Manley with Spooky; Seated (left to right) - Taylor Howerton with Neiko, Corey Knowles with Theodore, Sandra Knowles with Little Guy, Katie with Raul, Connor West with Spock; Standing (left to right) - Brooklyn Bauer with Boey, Jena Chamberlin with Ariel, Mikayla Osmer with Frodo, Jazzy Andrus with Danica, Takara Andrus with Beardsley, Collin West with Maugawi, and Eric Baker with Strider.

Shelter Dog Prevention Month

This offer is available for a short time.... It is 156 pages. Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian, animal behaviorist and dog trainer, has declared January to be "Shelter Dog Prevention Month" and has decided to allow a free download of his book, "After you get your puppy" in order to help prevent people from giving up their dogs due to behavioral issues that could have been prevented by proper training and handling. Here is the link.

http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/after-you-get-your-puppy

Pierce County 4-H featured on Comcast TV!

Watch Pierce County 4-H on Comcast TV in How to Videos  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.comMarian Brown, 4-H leader, and one of her youth club members, Jacob, were interviewed on Comcast TV about their experiences in 4-H. Check it out!