A Hangout for Hounds and their Handlers

Plymouth 4-H Dog Clubs Get a Home at the Marshfield Fair

Until August 2024, the Plymouth County 4-H dog program had no “home” at the Marshfield Fair. At the conclusion of fair dog shows, 4-H’ers and dogs alike had to disperse due to a lack of dedicated space for four-legged friends. Cathy Acampora, Plymouth County 4-H Educator and Massachusetts 4-H Dog Project Coordinator, was determined to make a change and introduce a dedicated area where dogs, 4-H members, and 4-H leaders could stay and visit in between dog events.

Cathy, leader of the A Round of A-Paws Dog Club, found the perfect champion for her plan in the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation and its new Pilot Grant Program. In April 2024, Cathy applied for and was awarded a BOOST (Building Opportunities and Organizational Strength Together) grant of $1,000, which benefited the county’s 4-H dog clubs, including: A Round of A-Paws, Satucket River 4-H Dog Club, Cave Canem, and Bog Dogs.

After receiving the grant, the clubs constructed a dedicated area for the dogs and their young handlers to stay between fair events.  Grant funds were also used to create educational signs about the 4-H dog program, dog safety, and dog breeds to use at the fair and other events.

The 4-H dog clubs then constructed an interactive booth for Marshfield Fair attendees to ask questions of “Bella, the talking dog!”  A 4-H’er wore the Bella mask in the booth during the fair and another answered questions from the public. “The public just loved it. It was fun and engaging,” said Christine Hoyt, leader of the Satucket River 4-H Dog Club of Plymouth/East Middleboro. Even one of the furry friends was spellbound by Bella!

Preparing the new dog area ahead of the Marshfield Fair took time. The clubs needed to remove debris from the area, clean and disinfect it, and remove wire caging. 4-H members helped install foam mats, said Sarah Norris, a parent of a Satucket River 4-H Dog Club member.

Christine Hoyt, leader of the Satucket River 4-H Dog Club, is pictured with Holly the dog and Bella, the talking dog (in booth).The new dog display positively impacted the youth in dog clubs. “It was a hit,” said Cathy. “My goal was to give the dog kids a place at the fair.” Sarah noticed that the 4-H youth from the dog clubs felt more a part of the events. “It allowed the dog kids to be more involved in the fair itself,” she said.

Cathy also had another goal in building the dog display. “I also wanted to integrate the livestock kids with our dog clubs,” she said. “So many of the livestock kids wanted to be Bella, the talking dog!”  The new dog area resulted in the 4-H dog club youth getting to know their livestock counterparts, and Cathy noted there was never similar interaction during past years at the fair.

The dog area’s influence far outlasted the fair days. Hundreds of fairgoers took 4-H flyers at both the Marshfield Fair and The Big E. The Plymouth County 4-H Fair attracted 25 new 4-H members, at least ten of which were interested in dog clubs. As a result, the four dog clubs are now filled, according to Cathy.

The fair dog area has led to a more vibrant, visible 4-H dog program. Most importantly, the new area produced relationships between 4-H youth that might not otherwise have formed. “It was a beautiful experience for everyone,” said Cathy.