4-H is an international organization with many local clubs throughout San Diego County.  The Olivenhain Valley 4-H Club has been in existence for many years and has grown to over eighty members.  4-H clubs are run exclusively by volunteers.  Each project is run by at least one Adult Leader volunteer.  The Dog Care and Training Project is led by Judy Pedery-Edwards, owner of Moonwater Aussies. Judy has over fifteen years experience with 4-H and has been teaching, primary through college-level, for over thirty-five years.  Her focus is the arts and sciences and she has written an 800-page curriculum for Environmental Education.  Judy has been raising, training, breeding and showing Australian Shepherds for over 40 years.  Her award-winning stock of dogs attends every Dog Project meeting.  These well-trained animals are available for all kids to use and learn with.  A child need not own a dog to participate in the Dog Project. 


On the first Wednesday of each month, the group meets at the Olivenhain Town Hall.  From 3:30 pm until 5:00 pm, kids work with dogs, either Judy's professionally trained aussies or their own, that have passed the project's canine good citizen test.  Judy, and her team of 4-H Junior and Teen Leaders, provide instruction on everything from dog handling to dog care.  A 4-H curriculum is followed to ensure that participating members receive a thorough education on all aspects of dog care and training.  Special effort is made by the Leaders to make the hands-on learning fun - each meeting includes games and an activity.  Each youth member is strongly encouraged to keep a 4-H Record Book as the project provides the means for each youth member to earn an award through the California 4-H Star Program.  Many of the community service, public speaking and recognition requirements can be conveniently met by attending and participating in the project's meetings.

The Olivenhain Valley 4-H Dog Project currently supports 30 members.  With such a large group, there are many opportunities for youth to take on a leadership role.  Children in 6th through 8th grade can earn the responsibility of becoming a Junior Leader.  Dog Project Junior Leaders assist with things like taking attendance at meetings, running the games and administering the canine good citizen test.  Dog Project Teen Leaders, teens in 9th through 12th grade, take on even more responsibility by running the meetings and events.  As with all 4-H projects, youth are encouraged to work towards attaining leadership status.  Each year that a child returns to the Dog Project, they'll be exposed to new and different experiences which will build their confidence and and give them the courage to take on more responsibility.

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