The Utah State University Housing Department has recently published a rule concerning the pets on campus. Any resident with an animal found on campus without medical paperwork will immediately be fined $50, according to the most recent housing newsletter.
Three weeks before this letter was sent out, USU student Michael Stewart’s resident assistant, Emily Bassett, had warned him that his dog needed to be taken off campus.
Stewart was diagnosed five years ago with depression but has never seen a therapist. School has become more difficult throughout the fall semester and Stewart’s depression has only gotten worse.
Stewart had heard that dogs could help with depression so he adopted one.
“Both dogs and cats have been used as therapy animals,” said Dr. Andrew Petes, a therapist at USU.
After a week of having his new pet, Stewart’s depression had all but disappeared. However, housing rules forced Stewart to keep his dog somewhere off campus.
Stewart has been attending therapy sessions at the USU Psychology Community Clinic for two months and is currently in the process of officiating his dog.
Before a resident is allowed to have a dog on campus, they must go through multiple therapy sessions. In these sessions, the therapist will determine whether not a pet will help the patient, according to Petes. When it has been decided that a pet would help, the patient will receive paperwork that must be turned into the USU Disabilities Center. The resident will then obtain a note that they must show to their resident assistant. When the resident assistant receives this note, the resident may bring a therapy animal on to campus.
“The dog is adorable,” Bassett said. “I really hope he is able to get the correct paperwork. I would love to see this dog all the time.”
According to Shannon Jolley, USU housing director, there have been many complaints of people owning animals without correct paperwork.
“It’s hard to for me to tell these families that they have to get rid of their pets,” Jolley said.
Stewart hopes that his paperwork goes through fast so his dog will be able to come back.
s. gregson
Friday, November 25, 2011
Wonders of Willow Park
One of the activities provided for the citizens of Logan is the Willow Park Zoo.
The zoo holds approximately 100 different species of animals, including golden and bald eagles.
“The numbers vary a lot,” said Rod Wilhelm, Willow Park Zoo superintendent. “During the spring and summer season, numbers are up as we raise a number of young birds, and sometimes some mammals.”
Willow Park Zoo receives many of its animals from other zoos and reputable private breeders. The zoo also has its own breeding program that helps sustain its animals. Some of the animals have been injured and will never return to the wild, but the zoo tries to return as many endangered species as it can, according to Wilhelm.
“It’s amazing the amount of species that are here,” said Rachel Downer, a frequent visitor to the zoo. “Did you know there are over 40 different species of duck alone?”
Even though there is a large amount of animals at the zoo, there are only 12 workers that maintain it: three full-time employees who overlook the events, the staff and handle the public relations. The other nine are part-time workers who care for the animals, as well as the buildings and grounds.
“It’s great having the chance to work here,” said Ryan Little, a part-time worker of Will Park Zoo. “I get to spend time with animals that a lot of people never get the chance to see.”
The zoo does not have a formal gate admission and is open to public for a donation of $2 for adults and 50 cents for children. A lot of the funding for the zoo is from a grant from the Cache County RAPZ tax fund, a small operation and maintenance grant from the State of Utah and any earned revenue from fund-raising events, according to Wilhelm.
The zoo would like to add more exhibits but lacks the funds needed.
“We completed an exciting master plan a few years ago,” Wilhelm said. “But funding has been reduced drastically, and until other funding is found, nothing new can happen.”
Willow Park Zoo will be closing Dec. 1 for the winter season. It will reopen in late March.
According to Wilhelm, there are two reasons for the closing of the zoo. The cold weather stops people from visiting the zoo, preventing any income. Snow and ice removal is very costly and the zoo does not have the funds to keep it operating.
c. moffitt
The zoo holds approximately 100 different species of animals, including golden and bald eagles.
“The numbers vary a lot,” said Rod Wilhelm, Willow Park Zoo superintendent. “During the spring and summer season, numbers are up as we raise a number of young birds, and sometimes some mammals.”
Willow Park Zoo receives many of its animals from other zoos and reputable private breeders. The zoo also has its own breeding program that helps sustain its animals. Some of the animals have been injured and will never return to the wild, but the zoo tries to return as many endangered species as it can, according to Wilhelm.
“It’s amazing the amount of species that are here,” said Rachel Downer, a frequent visitor to the zoo. “Did you know there are over 40 different species of duck alone?”
Even though there is a large amount of animals at the zoo, there are only 12 workers that maintain it: three full-time employees who overlook the events, the staff and handle the public relations. The other nine are part-time workers who care for the animals, as well as the buildings and grounds.
“It’s great having the chance to work here,” said Ryan Little, a part-time worker of Will Park Zoo. “I get to spend time with animals that a lot of people never get the chance to see.”
The zoo does not have a formal gate admission and is open to public for a donation of $2 for adults and 50 cents for children. A lot of the funding for the zoo is from a grant from the Cache County RAPZ tax fund, a small operation and maintenance grant from the State of Utah and any earned revenue from fund-raising events, according to Wilhelm.
The zoo would like to add more exhibits but lacks the funds needed.
“We completed an exciting master plan a few years ago,” Wilhelm said. “But funding has been reduced drastically, and until other funding is found, nothing new can happen.”
Willow Park Zoo will be closing Dec. 1 for the winter season. It will reopen in late March.
According to Wilhelm, there are two reasons for the closing of the zoo. The cold weather stops people from visiting the zoo, preventing any income. Snow and ice removal is very costly and the zoo does not have the funds to keep it operating.
c. moffitt
Friday, November 11, 2011
Family Fishing Fun
Just off Highway 218 of Smithfield, Utah, people catch fish by the bucketful. Mountain Valley Trout Farm covers four acres of land and holds nearly 100,000 fish each year.
Trout farm owner, Leland Barker, has had his farm for 18 years. Prior to moving to Cache Valley, he had part ownership of Cold Springs Trout Farm located in Ogden, Utah.
“I grew up on a farm and I wanted to show everyone that I could do it,” Barker said. “My wife believed in me and so we bought the land and started it up.”
Barker’s family has all had the chance to work on the farm. Nathan Barker, 21, has helped on the farm on and off since he was 10.
“When I was younger, it was loads of fun to gut the fish and pack them up for people to buy,” Nathan Barker said. “But now it just feels like work.”
“It’s great having the chance to work with my kids,” Leland Barker said. “I want them to learn what hard work is.”
According to Barker, the farm typically gets 100 customers per week.
Many of the customers like bringing their families to the farm to fish.
“The atmosphere of the farm is so friendly,” Suzanne Barrett said. “I can’t help but want to bring my children here to fish.”
“This is a great place to take your kids fishing,” said Susan Ward, a frequent customer to Mountain Valley Trout Farm. “You can see the fish swimming in the water and are guaranteed to catch one.”
The Mountain Valley Trout Farm rents everything needed to begin fishing and will give lessons if desired.
“The prices are reasonable and you don't need a license to fish there,” Ward said.
Barker hopes to add a bigger pond for those wanting to boat.
“We enjoy seeing people having a good time,” Barker said. “I hope we get the chance to see many more.”
(b. cook)
Trout farm owner, Leland Barker, has had his farm for 18 years. Prior to moving to Cache Valley, he had part ownership of Cold Springs Trout Farm located in Ogden, Utah.
“I grew up on a farm and I wanted to show everyone that I could do it,” Barker said. “My wife believed in me and so we bought the land and started it up.”
Barker’s family has all had the chance to work on the farm. Nathan Barker, 21, has helped on the farm on and off since he was 10.
“When I was younger, it was loads of fun to gut the fish and pack them up for people to buy,” Nathan Barker said. “But now it just feels like work.”
“It’s great having the chance to work with my kids,” Leland Barker said. “I want them to learn what hard work is.”
According to Barker, the farm typically gets 100 customers per week.
Many of the customers like bringing their families to the farm to fish.
“The atmosphere of the farm is so friendly,” Suzanne Barrett said. “I can’t help but want to bring my children here to fish.”
“This is a great place to take your kids fishing,” said Susan Ward, a frequent customer to Mountain Valley Trout Farm. “You can see the fish swimming in the water and are guaranteed to catch one.”
The Mountain Valley Trout Farm rents everything needed to begin fishing and will give lessons if desired.
“The prices are reasonable and you don't need a license to fish there,” Ward said.
Barker hopes to add a bigger pond for those wanting to boat.
“We enjoy seeing people having a good time,” Barker said. “I hope we get the chance to see many more.”
(b. cook)
Saturday, November 5, 2011
PetsMart Adoptions saves lives
The Cache Humane Society holds an event every Saturday called PetsMart Adoptions. Their goal is to show the community the animals that they have, in hopes that they might be adopted.
Jodi DeVries, CHS event coordinator, said this event is “what we’re all about”.
PetsMart Adoptions takes place at the local Logan PetsMart on 1000 North. The event starts at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m.
The CHS has been holding this event for two years. About seven animals are taken to this event; four dogs and three cats, according to DeVries.
“We usually get a great response,” DeVries said. “People will see an animal there and if it is the kind they are interested in, they might find out information and come later to get the animal at the shelter.”
DeVries said the CHS is trying to go to other locations and have more off-site adoptions in the future.
“I saw the Cache Humane Society at Kmart a few weeks back and just fell in love with one of the dogs they had,” said Carlee Weldin, a newfound pet owner. “A few weeks later, I went to the shelter and ended up adopting her.”
A few staff members of CHS attend this event as well as three or four volunteers. The CHS invite any who would like to volunteer their help at this event as well as at the shelter.
“It makes a difference,” Terry Kuchs said, a volunteer at CHS. “It makes me feel great knowing that I can help these animals have a better life.”
According to DeVries, some weekly PetsMart Adoptions may get canceled from a lack of people to run it. If that is the case, the CHS hopes to be back at PetsMart the following week.
To learn more about this event, visit www.cachehumane.org.
(m. titze)
Jodi DeVries, CHS event coordinator, said this event is “what we’re all about”.
PetsMart Adoptions takes place at the local Logan PetsMart on 1000 North. The event starts at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m.
The CHS has been holding this event for two years. About seven animals are taken to this event; four dogs and three cats, according to DeVries.
“We usually get a great response,” DeVries said. “People will see an animal there and if it is the kind they are interested in, they might find out information and come later to get the animal at the shelter.”
DeVries said the CHS is trying to go to other locations and have more off-site adoptions in the future.
“I saw the Cache Humane Society at Kmart a few weeks back and just fell in love with one of the dogs they had,” said Carlee Weldin, a newfound pet owner. “A few weeks later, I went to the shelter and ended up adopting her.”
A few staff members of CHS attend this event as well as three or four volunteers. The CHS invite any who would like to volunteer their help at this event as well as at the shelter.
“It makes a difference,” Terry Kuchs said, a volunteer at CHS. “It makes me feel great knowing that I can help these animals have a better life.”
According to DeVries, some weekly PetsMart Adoptions may get canceled from a lack of people to run it. If that is the case, the CHS hopes to be back at PetsMart the following week.
To learn more about this event, visit www.cachehumane.org.
(m. titze)
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