Dog Scouts providing pet gifts for needy

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Elderly pet owners who receive holiday meals from The Aurora Salvation Army will have a special treat this year — a stocking full of toys and food for their best animal friend, along with their own dinner.

This extra gift is a project being spearheaded by Aurora Dog Scout Troop 208.

Yes, there is a Dog Scout Troop in Aurora, and this holiday season members of the troop — the human owners of the dogs — will be gathering pet food and toys to make goodie bags for senior citizens who have a pet.

Kolleen Rojas, community liaison and volunteer coordinator for The Salvation Army, said this special gift is needed.

“I have delivered meals to seniors and watched them give some of their own food to their pet. We need to make sure they are getting their nutritional needs,” Rojas said. “I had no idea this was even available, but it is filling such a big need.”

Karen Reeves leads the Dog Scout troop and said her group began collecting toys and pet food recently at the Pet Supplies Plus store in North Aurora.

“We want to provide Christmas pet bags to help supply pet food, toys and treats to those seniors who have dogs or cats,” Reeves said.

“Pets are important to the seniors — they are their constant companion,” said Candy Weirich with The Salvation Army Golden Diners group.

This year, some 4,000 seniors are registered to receive a holiday meal through Meals on Wheels. The Meals on Wheels program of The Salvation Army makes sure homebound seniors get at least one hot, nutritious meal a day.

Rojas said she has notified case workers of the additional gift for the holidays to make sure those who have pets won’t be forgotten.

Anyone wanting to donate pet food of any type is asked to call 630-330-5343 to donate to the pet holiday campaign.

The Dog Troop is new to the Aurora area, launching just four months ago, but already has 18 dogs with 15 owners. The annual fee for the troop is $25, and that entitles one human to attend troop meetings with their dog.

Reeves said dogs earn patches and actually wear a vest with their patches when they go on social events. The first test for any dog is to pass the Scout test documenting the animal has “good citizen” traits.

“First they have to be able to walk on a leash, walk by something they shouldn’t have and ‘leave it’ when commanded to do so,” said Reeves.

Dogs also have to be able to greet strangers and not jump on them.

Meetings usually cover topics that range from basic dog training to how to keep your dog active and general behavior issues.