Lindsey Mendenhall inspires fellow members through dog program

In observance of the Week of the Volunteer, Nebraska 4-H is proud to celebrate some of the 2023 Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Award Winners.

Lindsey Mendenhall is receiving the Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award. Lindsey is a member and volunteer with the Chase County 4-H program and was nominated by Debbie Kuenning, Nebraska Extension Educator in Perkin and Chase counties. 

Early in her 4-H career, Lindsey found her spark in the 4-H dog project. She never imagined that before her 4-H years were over, she would lead the local dog program. 

"Lindsey has continuously gone above and beyond not only to work on the project she loves herself, but to learn as much as she can and teach it to anyone who is interested," Kuenning wrote. "I admire her determination and work ethic and am extremely proud of the job she has done with our Dog Club!"

The Chase County 4-H Dog Club had struggled to maintain consistent leadership before Lindsey stepped up. It started when she asked the 4-H Council for funds to purchase and build dog agility equipment. Before she knew it, she was teaching other members, helping them train their dogs on courses and equipment she had built, scheduling meetings, and communicating with families. Lindsey grew into the leadership role with grace and maturity. 

With Lindey as the leader, the local 4-H Dog Club now thrives with over 20 active members. Lindsey has expanded local opportunities for 4-H members by helping establish rally and agility classes at the County Fair. She even lends her own dogs to Clover Kid members so they may participate in the Clover Kid Dog Show. Last year, Lindsey inspired and encouraged two fellow members to participate in the State 4-H Dog Show for the first time. 

Tell us about yourself.

I am a sophomore at Wichita State University majoring in biomedical engineering, but when I am home, you usually can find me hanging out with my friends or dogs. During my time in 4-H, I have come to love building bonds through training with my dogs, Buster, Nala, and Rex. I have been active in 4-H since before I could even join; I have shown dogs, cattle, and horses, baked, sewed, built rockets and birdhouses, attempted photography, and enhanced my shooting sports skills.

What do you look forward to when you step into your volunteer role?

When I joined the dog club at the age of 7 with my 4-month-old Golden Retriever puppy, Buster, I never would have thought I would be where I am today! When the main leader who was dedicated to getting Buster and I from the crazy puppy stage to graduate novice moved away, I knew I wanted to step up and lead in the junior leader role. I served as the junior leader for 5 years, and when none of the past leaders were returning last year, I stepped up to the leader. I delight in getting to help younger 4-Hers form bonds with their dogs through 4-H training! My favorite aspect of training dogs is the agility class. In the agility class, youth and their dogs get to apply the basic skills of obedience to a fun and fast-paced course consisting of jumps, tunnels, catwalks, and even teeter-totters. I don’t know who enjoys the course more, the kids or the dogs, but seeing the kids connect with their dogs to improve their time is always rewarding!

What is your favorite memory as a 4-H volunteer?

My favorite memory is when I first introduced the rally and agility classes to our county. When I started dog, our county only had obedience and showmanship classes, and since attending workshops and shows and becoming familiar with rally and agility myself, I wanted to bring it into our county. I pitched the idea to the 4-H Council, and the materials I would need, and they approved. I made and purchased a starting set of agility obstacles and rally sign holders, and created a game plan for how I was going to teach these skills to the others including the leaders. The first year, I started small with a few of the basic rally signs and only 5 obstacles, and I slowly worked my way up to where we are now with all of the 4-H rally signs and over 10 obstacles.

How have you helped youth find their spark through 4-H?

When their older brother joined dog with their dog, Zip, 2 little clover kids, Sadie and Josie, were disappointed they didn’t get to participate. I offered for them to practice with Buster and Nala during practice, which was a win-win because they were happy that they got to participate and I had my hands free to help others directly. Sadie and Josie loved getting to be like the older kids, and Buster and Nala loved the attention and constant praise! Along with the other clover kids, Sadie and Josie are eager to join 4-H so they can compete in all the classes!