2024 Event Information:

• Date:  Saturday, March 9th, 2024
• Location:  Animal Science, Frank B. Morrison Hall, CU, Ithaca, NY
• Time:  9:30 am to 3:30 pm
• Check-In begins at 9:00 am in the Main Lobby of Frank B. Morrison Hall

All interested staff, adult and teen 4-H leaders were invited to attend this one day information packed program. Dog project leaders engaged in local community training programs were strongly encouraged to attend. Presentations from a variety of experienced professionals may have included: Cooperative Extension Staff, County Volunteers, Cornell University Veterinarians, community collaborators, etc.

• $25 per participant

New this year!!! Lunch will be provided for youth and chaperones.  Please indicate on the registration any dietary needs.

Transportation to and from the event is at the participant’s own expense. Some CCE Associations charge additional fees to cover transportation & chaperone expenses.

Participants should make payment directly to the local county CCE Office, not sent to Cornell University.

Educators:  The County Association who submitted the registration will be invoiced after the event. Each participant must be registered separately, but registration fees can be combined so that only one payment is needed. You do not need to send separate checks or pay individually via credit card for each individual youth.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Cancellations prior to the event deadline will not be charged. Cancellations after the deadline will be billed. Substitutions or same program replacements are allowed, but need to be registered and approved by the event coordinator before arrival. No-shows will be charged in full.

Opening Speaker - Behavior from a Dog's Perspective presented by Dr. Lindsay Goodale

Morning Session:

1)  Developing a Toss and Fetch League presented by Sonja Galley, NYS 4-H Dog Advisory Committee Member 

• Understand the basics of what is involved in developing a Toss and Fetch League in your county.  

2)  Fostering is this for you?  Understanding the ins and outs of Dog Foster Care presented by Aimee LaPlante Walrath, NYS 4-H Dog Advisory Committee Member

• Learn about becoming a foster dog family and if it’s right for your family.    

3)  Drill Team 101 presented by Melissa LoPinto and Jacob Raguso, NYS 4-H Dog Advisory Committee Member

• Why your club should have a drill team and how to get started. 

4)  NY State Dog Program at the Fair presented by Kathi Chambliss, NYS 4-H Dog Advisory Committee Member

• Many clubs work diligently training their dogs to show in the classes at the State Fair.  It is an exciting and fun experience to participate in such a large venue with so many dogs from around the state.  But, did you know there are other opportunities to participate at the State Fair?  Some dogs may not be ready for that large venue, or your female comes into heat, or the "obedience" just isn't solid enough that you trust it to be a good experience for dog and handler.  What to do??

Noon Time Demonstrations:

• Rally presented by Jake Raguso and Melissa LoPinto, NYS 4-H Dog Advisory Committee Members
• Agility presented by Sonja Galley, NYS 4-H Dog Advisory Committee Member
• Fast Cat presented by Liz Meacham, NYS Fair Dog Superintendent

Afternoon Session:

5)  What makes a responsible breeder and how to find them presented by Melissa LoPinto, NYS 4-H Dog Advisory Committee Member

• Melissa LoPinto, Tompkins County 4-H Leader and Whippet breeder (Solidago Whippets), will discuss how to evaluate breeders based on your goals for your future canine companion! 

6)  Where else can you compete and how? presented by Jacob Raguso, NYS 4-H Dog Advisory Committee Member

• Exploring AKC, UKC, and more, for now and after 4-H. 

7)  Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Title Program presented by Liz Meacham, NYS Fair Dog Superintendent, NYS 4-H Dog Advisory Committee Member

• Come learn about what it takes to get a Canine Good Citizen Certificate and Trick Dog Title. 

Educators:  Each participant must be registered separately at the link below.  Your county association will be billed shortly after the completion of the event.

• CCE Educators or Staff Only - Register Participants Here

If you have any questions regarding registering youth for Animal Crackers, please contact Barb Jones at bjj6 [at] cornell.edu (bjj6[at]cornell[dot]edu) or Brian Aukema at jms943 [at] cornell.edu (bja14[at]cornell[dot]edu).

General 4-H Policies and Information for Chaperones

Everyone (youth and adults) are expected to create an inclusive and welcoming environment, respect the diversity of conference participants (e.g. race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, cultural background, etc.). Everyone will be expected to uphold the NYS 4-H Code of Conduct. All youth and adults are expected to model appropriate behavior and follow NYS 4-H guidelines. In addition, all Cornell property and Cornell program presenters should be treated respectfully. County participants acting inappropriately will be sent home at their cost/inconvenience.

For Animal Biosecurity, all participants should plan to wear clean clothes and extra shoes that were not worn on the day of the event for home farm chores. Disposable booties will be provided.

Adult chaperones are responsible for behavior and safety of their attendees. Counties are expected to provide chaperones in about a 1 to 6 ratio for youth attending in each species track. Chaperones may be shared with other counties. Every participant must have a designated chaperone. Chaperones may be expected to supervise youth from other counties during program times and in the absence of a 4-H Educator, chaperones may need to make decisions on their Educator’s behalf. Any disturbances or emergencies should be reported to participant’s chaperone first and then county educator and event staff if needed. Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are strictly prohibited.

Lead 4-H Educator: Each Association is expected to identify a Lead Educator designated as a main contact for registration purposes, for volunteer supervision, and for crisis and incident management. Lead educators also need to communicate with their attendees to assure they are oriented and aware of other registered county delegates.

For more information on NYS 4-H General & Chaperone Policies, visit the NYS 4-H Policies webpage.

Conference participants will be asked to help us learn about the program’s effectiveness by completing a survey or sharing their reflections. Participation in program evaluation efforts is completely anonymous, voluntary, and there is no impact on program participation if someone decides not to complete a survey.

We are committed to providing universal access to all of our events. Please have your 4-H Educator contact Barb Jones at bjj6 [at] cornell.edu (bjj6[at]cornell[dot]edu) before the registration deadline to request disability accommodations. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

The members of the March Dog Madness 2024 Planning Committee listed below have given their time and expertise to make the March Dog Madness program a success. Thank you to all for your support of this program and of the NYS 4-H Program.

• Brian Aukema, Youth Livestock Specialist, CALS, Animal Science
• Kathi Chambliss
• Sonya Galley
• Barbara Jones, Administrative Assistant, CALS, Animal Science
• Amy LaPlante-Walrath
• Melissa LoPinto, Tompkins County
• Liz Meacham
• Barbara Moran, CCE Sullivan County
• Jacob Ragusa, Tompkins County
• Cindy Wagner, Tompkins County
• Roxanne Young
• Taylor Young

Special Thanks

• NYS 4-H Youth Development
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• 4-H Foundation Willman Fund

Parking is free on Saturdays in the large lot adjacent to the south end of Morrison Hall (“O” lot) or in the Peterson lot at the corner of Judd Falls and Tower Roads across the street from the Dairy Bar. If participants are in need of handicap parking, please notify the event coordinators when registering prior to the event.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Cancellations prior to the event deadline will not be charged. Cancellations after the deadline will be billed. Substitutions or same program replacements are allowed, but need to be registered and approved by the event coordinator before arrival. No-shows will be charged in full.