Julianne Bryant and Roo the 3 1/2-year-old English golden retriever enjoy the sunshine July 15 at Central Washington University’s Moore Hall in Ellensburg.
Dog training invaluable to family dynamic By Jake McNeal sports editor Canine wellbeing is an early skill that makes new best friends. Kids 5 to 19 years of age can show off their hard work in dog showmanship, obedience and agility, and Susan Bryant can help bring about their 4-H expertise. “In this group we focus on having fun with the dogs, learning good dog health and nurturing your life-
long family member as opposed to getting wrapped up with the ribbons,” said Bryant, who has been a teacher, school counselor and biologist, and homeschooling her kids is her favorite, particularly in STEM. “4-H is like any other thing and people want to win, but we try not to focus on that.” Family 4-H groups can choose multiple projects like baking, beef, horses, hogs, sheep, goats, photography, sewing, robotics, rabbits, shooting and archery, and the parent
becomes the project leader. Bryant’s family moved to Kittitas County from Norway as her husband was a career Air Force officer, and when they arrived 4-H needed leaders in robotics. She always had dogs growing up, and got to know English goldens living in Europe. Bryant’s daughter Amy, who “has been really into dogs” for about eight years, is a Washington State University nursing grad, and her younger daughter, Julianne, is thinking about
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something medical but, as she’s in high school, still has time to decide. Susan’s son, Gabe, was a long-time 4-Her in robotics, photography and foods/ nutrition, and is about to enter his first year of dental school at the University of Southern California. Susan, Amy and Julianne Bryant and family 4-H friends Traci and Brynn Tegman went for a walk with Nala and Roo, English golden retrievers 2 and 3 ½ respective years of age, July 15 along the water near Central Washington’s
