Adult and youth dog owners proudly led their (mostly) enthusiastic canine participants around the ring at the 13th annual Volunteers in Northampton Schools Dog Show during March.
They were cheered by a smiling crowd of young and old that included fellow dogs, children and visiting adults. Master of ceremonies Brian Rust kept the jokes coming while dogs of all shapes and sizes cavorted and earned ribbons.
Members of the board of directors of VINS, which sponsors and manages the show, are grateful to over 80 businesses and at least 35 volunteers who supported this year’s show.
Children and adults from a wide area joined together in this “Not Your Typical Dog Show,” competing in categories like Clever K-9 Tricks, A Pooch Who Can Smooch and Best Dressed. The judges, Superintendent John Provost, Northampton High School Principal Bryan Lombardi and community member Jane Fleishman awarded first-, second- and third-place ribbons in each category to both adults and young people and their dogs.
A small fee is charged for dogs, but two-legged visitors attend the show free. The show helps to fund the position of VINS coordinator Candy Tauscher, who recruits, trains, and places about 80 volunteers each year in district public schools.
New volunteers are welcome to join this effort that brings the helping hands and hearts of the community into our schools. Call 587-1332 for information about how to become a VINS volunteer.
We hope to see you at next year’s show on the first Saturday in March.
Margie Riddle
Leeds
The writer is president of Volunteers in Northampton Schools Inc.