March Dog Madness 2026

2026 Event Information:

• Date:  Saturday, March 7, 2026
• Registration Deadline:  Friday, February 27, 2026
• Location:  Animal Science, Frank B. Morrison Hall, CU, Ithaca, NY
• Time:  9:00 am to 4:30 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

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.  Do not send payment 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 - Fueling Fido:  Understand your Dogs Nutritional Needs presented by Dr. Nancy Dreschel, Associate Teaching Professor, Dept of Animal Science at Penn State

Morning Session:

1)  Canine Reproduction, Responsible Breeding Practices and living with an intact dog.   Presented by Jacob Raguso & Melissa LoPinto

2)  Your Dog, the Scholar: Discovering Canine Thinking Power.   Presented by Sonja Galley

3)  Hunting and Sporting Dog: Is your Dog a good candidate?   Presented by Carolyn McGraw

Afternoon Session:

4)  Green Eggs and Ham Agility, Train for Agility Anywhere, Anytime!  Presented by Sonja Galley

5)  Understanding Canine Body Language and Applying that Knowledge to your Training.  Presented by Jacob Raguso & Melissa LoPinto

6)  Pawsitive Learning Meeting, 4-H Dog Meeting without a Dog.  Presented by Patricia Eshelman

7) Grooming for the State Fair.  Presented by Melissa LoPinto

Educators:  Each participant must be registered separately at the link below.  This includes parents and chaperones so that we can get an accurate lunch count.  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 for March Dog Madness, please contact 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 Brian Aukema at bja14 [at] cornell.edu (bja14[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 2026 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
• Kathi Chambliss
• Patricia Eshelman
• Sonya Galley
• Barbara Jones
• Melissa LoPinto
• Carolyn McGraw
• Liz Meacham
• Jacob Ragusa
• Cindy Wagner
• 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.

A block of rooms under the name March Dog Madness 2026 has been placed on hold at the Cayuga Blu Hotel for the night of Friday, March 6 at the rate of $139.00 plus tax per night.  Participants may make reservations by calling 607-257-3100.  The cut-off date to reserve rooms is Friday, February 27, 2026.