NMS Student Council Goes To The Dogs

By Nancy K. Crevier

Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason, kennel attendant Matt Schaub, and dog pound volunteer Amy Sullivan were presented Monday, March 29, with a “check” for $350, at Newtown Middle School. The money was raised through the efforts of the NMS student council, said council advisor Linda Dale Mulholland.

Each year the student council selects a theme around which fundraising and awareness activities will take place. This year, “Save a Hound! Support the Pound!” became their battle cry. As one of the fundraising projects, 12 student council members under the direction of teacher Rose Ann Beck baked healthy dog biscuits, which were sold at the March 16 student dance, and at the school. The $350 donated Monday came from money raised from the biscuit sales, as well as the entry fees to the student council-sponsored March Madness Basketball Tournament held recently at the school.

Noelle Benson, NMS student council treasurer, said that a portion of the money would reimburse Ms Sullivan’s purchase of a dog bath for the pound, with the rest to be used at the discretion of the animal control officer for other supplies and medical needs of the dogs at the pound.

The purchase of the dog bath, said Ms Sullivan, provides the pound with a product that is truly needed. “[The student council members] are such a great group of kids. Right now, we have to take the dogs out to a groomer’s if they need bathing. [The purchase of this dog bath] will enable the staff and the willing volunteers the ability to comfortably and securely bathe the dogs at the pound. The rest of the money raised will let Carolee purchase specific training collars and leashes to make the dogs’ training sessions more successful,” said Ms Sullivan.

She described the bath as “a huge standing tub with a hose.” Ms Sullivan has ordered The Booster Bath and hopes to have it on site shortly. The portable tub is capable of supporting up to 250 pounds or, as Ms Sullivan put it, “two big dogs.”

The dog bath was a very good thought, said Ms Mason. “I think it’s the greatest. The kids in Newtown and their parents are wonderful. Right now, we can hose down the dogs, but with the bath they can actually soak and that’s sometimes needed. The dogs do enjoy the attention they get with a bath, too, once we get them in and all soaped up,” she added.

The student council also presented Ms Mason and Mr Schaub with a large box containing dog food, detergents, leashes, cat food, and other items needed to care for animals at the pound. “It’s very nice to get. It’s great that the kids think about the pound,” said Ms Mason.