Pa. 4-H will offer ‘Vets and Pets,’ Aug. 15

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension invites youth in Pennsylvania to participate in a free, virtual activity focused on veterinary care for companion animals.

The activity is part of Pennsylvania 4-H’s free trial period, during which youth throughout the summer can experience a sampling of 4-H projects through a series of online activities designed to be fun and interactive.

The “Vets and Pets” session for children ages 5-7 — known as Cloverbuds in 4-H — will take place Aug. 15 from 10 to 11 a.m. An event for older children will take place Aug. 17 from 10 to 11 a.m.

Participants will learn how to prepare pets for cooperative veterinary visits and become familiar with typical procedures and expectations at the vet’s office. Activities will include the following:

• Preparing dogs and cats for veterinary exams by helping pets become comfortable with restraint.

• Practicing veterinary tasks such as teeth examination and ear inspection.

• Mastering the towel wrap technique used by veterinarians to ensure a cat’s safety and comfort during care.

• Learning how to measure a pet’s pulse and respiration rates.

• Training a dog to be a model patient during vet visits.

Participants will need a towel and a toy stuffed animal, such as a cat, dog or something with a similar shape. Optional supplies included a stethoscope — either real or a toy — and a friendly, cooperative pet that is comfortable with activities such as holding its paw, placing an arm around its neck, and so on.

If attendees plan to participate with a pet, an adult must be present on camera while working with the animal.

Participants must register by Aug. 14 for the Cloverbuds session and by Aug. 16 for the general session.

More information about the Cloverbuds session is available on the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.edu/ programs/4-h/ events/vets-and- pets-for-cloverbuds.

Information about the general session can be found at extension. psu.edu/ programs/4-h/events/vetsand- pets.

COBA/Select Sires merger will begin Oct. 1

COLUMBUS — COBA/Select

Sires will merge with three other cooperatives, forming a new group that will cover 25 U.S. states and Mexico.

The boards of directors of COBA/ Select Sires, All West/Select Sires, Select Sires MidAmerica and Minnesota/Select Sires voted unanimously Aug. 2 to merge. The new cooperative, Select Sires Member Cooperative, will begin on Oct. 1.

Chris Sigurdson, current General Manager of COBA/Select Sires and Minnesota/Select Sires, was selected to be the first chief executive officer of Select Sires Member Cooperative.

The initial executive board of directors has been formed from the officers of the four cooperatives. The new cooperative will be headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The office in Logan, Utah will serve as a joint operational headquarters. All other present locations will remain operational at this time.