Best Friends Pet Assisted Therapy have been educating and certifying  volunteers and their own dogs for animal assisted therapy nationally since 2006.  They serve in schools, retirement communities, veteran services, crisis intervention and people in need primarily in the Miami Valley.  The benefit and impact that pet assisted therapy has on both physical and mental healing is undeniable.  

Zeigler shared how special it will be to be back in the school volunteering where she spent so many wonderful years.    

The core of Best Friends Pet Assisted Therapy is servitude and their reach is immeasurable in the communities they serve.  Each year they choose an organization or worthy cause to support.  Karen, who sits on the selection committee chose West Liberty-Salem elementary educators to be one of this year’s recipients.  They gave 39 teachers $50 cash to put towards their classroom and supplies, a personalized mug, kind words of encouragement, and of course, a visit with their dogs!  

West Liberty-Salem is excited to embark on this new adventure with Karen, Millie and Best Friends Pet Assisted Therapy, who will begin volunteering at WL-S this fall.  

“We are very much looking forward to Karen, Millie and all of their friends to visit with our staff and students in the future,” Aaron Hollar, shared.  As the principal of the elementary, he and his team work hard to make school a place that students are excited to be.  “We try to make school a fun, safe place for students to learn and having visits from this group will certainly help with that goal.  We are very thankful that there are volunteers like this in our community that want to help make the day better for our students!”

Programs will include reading with Millie, teaching animal safety with young students, working with Guidance Counselor Matt Westfall, companionship, and serve in crisis situations when needed.

Submitted by Alliison Wygal.

Lance Jackson & Teresa Hill, who were both teachers in the Urbana City School district for decades, serve as official program advisors. They both keenly understand the challenges local students face.

UYC knows students at the youth center are incredibly fortunate to have the experience of two of Urbana’s very best educators working on crafting programs for them. Their expertise is a major asset to the youth center and this community.

Including official advisors and volunteer advisors, the entire program team brings more than a century of combined education and program experience to the table.

Justin T. Weller leads the team at the youth center as the Executive Director.

Now that the youth center serves more than 400 student members and is working to expand their program offerings, it is essential UYC builds a sustainable approach to serving the needs of our young people. These new team members are working to make some big and exciting things possible.

Information from UYC's Facebook page.

Thursday, September 2, 2021 from 2pm-7pm: Quilt Guild, All Ages.

Saturdays, September 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2021 from 11am-2pm: Anime Club, Ages 13+

Monday, September 6, 2020 All Day: Library is closed in observance of Labor Day.

Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 4pm-5pm: Lego Club, Ages 5 – 12

Monday, September 13, 2021 from 3:30pm–4:30pm: Explorer’s Club, Ages 6 (Kindergarten)–5th Grade

Tuesday, September 14, 2021 from 10am–11am, 2pm–3pm, and 5:30pm-6:30pm: Online Resources Class, All Ages

Wednesdays, September 15, 22, and 29, 2021 from 11am–11:45am: Story Time, Ages 2–5

Wednesday, September 15, 2021 from 6:30pm-8pm: Homegoing Community Conversation Session 3 (Zoom), Ages 15+. Registration required.

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 from 5:30pm-6:30pm: Fall Wine Bottle Décor, Ages 18+

Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 2:30pm-3:30pm: Generation Next: A Gift of Relaxation, Ages 11 – 18

Monday, September 27, 2021 from 4pm-5pm: Generation What’s Next, Ages 11 – 18

Monday, September 27, 2021 from 5:30pm-6:30pm: Book Chatter, Ages 18+

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 from 5:30pm-6:30pm: Slogan Trivia, All Ages

Thursday, September 30, 2021 from 4:30pm-5:30pm: Simple Watercolor Illuminated Lettering with Lisa, All Ages

For more information, visit Mechanicsburg Public Library's website here or call (937)834-2004.

“Perhaps the most common comment from students was how small everything seemed from the air. I know it gave them an appreciation for just how big the world is and that’s essential to developing an appreciation for the town they live in,” Weller said.

Aviation is woven into the history of Ohio and Champaign County. The youth center plans to offer more plane ride and aviation opportunities this fall as part of its program lineup.

Levi LaForge, one of the students at UYC who participated in the rides, said, “Being honest, it (the UYC) is one of the best places for youth to have opportunities. The free plane rides especially are one of the many examples of why I love coming here.”

About Urbana Youth Center

UYC believes that the future of our children impacts our community’s opportunities and success for decades to come. With open hearts and open minds, this community can rally our resources to not only lift kids up but set them on a trajectory for accomplishing amazing things. The youth center serves students in grades six through twelve who attend Urbana City Schools or live in the district.

The Champaign County Preservation Alliance has two events scheduled during the month of October for people of all ages!

“We are working with Funds2orgs.com. The company cleans and forwards the shoes to impoverished countries in need of footwear from infants to senior citizens,” said organizer Kathy Durham.

The cross country team receives funds for the collection from Funds2orgs.com. Pick up for the shoes is available along with drop boxes at the Champaign County Library in Urbana and the Mechanicsburg Public Library, Mechanicsburg School, Goshen Lanes and the Mechanicsburg Municipal Building.

The effort’s end date is Sept. 1. To participate, log on to Funds2orgs.com or https://www.site.mcburg.org/o/athletics/page/crosscountry.

For more information or to have donated shoes picked up from your front porch, contact Elizabeth Porter at 937-244-3018 or Kathy Durham at 937-207-8442.

Known as “Magicman” for his ability to score at the most opportune time, Taylor battled from behind to win the medal.

“There was no way I wasn’t going to find a way,” Taylor said. “It’s the gold medal, man. I was going to rip my arms off if I had to.”

Taylor expected a tough match from the man nicknamed “The Greatest.” Yazdani, the No. 1 seed, won the 74-kilogram class at the 2016 Olympics.

“I like to win 10-0, but getting it done in the last seconds feels pretty good, too,” Taylor said.

He took advantage of Yazdani’s decision to be cautious.

“I think he only tried three times to score,” Taylor said. “I always say that if you want to be the best in the world, you need to take people down twice. You need to get two takedowns. Tonight was a good example of that. I needed two takedowns.”

A watch party was held at Graham Middle School and was shown during the telecast on The Olympic Channel.