Campbell County's set to have their day Saturday

The Gillette Dog Owners Group will host its second annual Lucky Puppy Play Date from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Cam-plex Barn No. 3.

Once again, the nonprofit group’s day of fun for Campbell County community members and their canine companions will feature an obstacle course in the barn, allowing owners to let their dogs run free, exercise and socialize.

“We’re going to have an even bigger course this year, and we’re going to have a lure chasing area for the dogs to work up their speed and agility,” said Catherine Mahoney, the group’s founder.

The Fur Kids Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides education and aid to promote the well-being of animals in Campbell County, the Animal Medical Center and some Gillette veterinarians also will be available to answer any questions dog owners might have on how to get the proper medical care their animals may need.

The Gillette Animal Shelter also will be on hand with information on how to adopt a pet.

“We, of course, want to get animals into their forever homes, but we also want them to be taken care of after they’ve been adopted,” Mahoney said.

A dog trainer from Gillette’s Petco store will be available to offer consultations on how to break a pup’s bad habits and make sure it’s well behaved, she said. The Knotty Salon, a local dog grooming business, also will be there to keep local dogs looking their best, and Cloud Peak Energy will be on hand to offer support.

Like last year’s event, Saturday’s happenings will feature a St. Patrick’s Day theme. Admission will be free with the sponsorship of Dr. Nicole Allee at Gillette Pet Vet, the vets at Thunder Basin Veterinary, those at Animal Medical Center and Pepsi, Mahoney said.

“Last year, the dogs who went just had a blast. It’s a wonderful socialization opportunity for them — and for their people,” Allee said.

There will be a raffle drawing, and all donations and proceeds from the event will go toward the group’s goal to build a fenced-in, off-leash dog park at the Field of Dreams site in Gillette. The members already have received more than $22,000 toward their goal of at least $30,000 to $36,000.

The group hopes to break ground on the park this summer, Mahoney said.

“We support an improved quality of life for all pets, so if that dog park will make life better for you and your dog, we definitely support that,” said Felicia Messimer, a Fur Kids Foundation founder.

For more details, visit GilletteDogPark.com, email gillette.dog.park@gmail.com or go to the Say Yes to Gillette-Campbell County Dog Park group page on Facebook.

6 awarded UW top scholarship

The University of Wyoming has selected 88 Wyoming high school students to receive the 2015 Trustees’ Scholars Award, the school’s top academic scholarship.

Six of those outstanding students are from Campbell County High School.

Jacob Weinzierl, Brandon Okray, Jacob Centner, Kathryn Traverso, Trevor Trouchon and Lauren Miller were selected to receive the award, which covers the cost of tuition, fees and room and board at UW for eight semesters, starting in the fall. Students from 31 high schools, and some who were home schooled, were chosen as recipients.

Those chosen were evaluated on high school GPA, ACT/SAT scores and curriculum workload. This year’s recipients had an average GPA of 3.98, and an average ACT score of 33.