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Jacob Stulken runs Brandy through a teeter-totter agility feature in a new dog park at the Aberdeen Area Humane Society. Courtesy photo
Four-legged friends awaiting adoption from the Aberdeen Area Humane Society now have a new area to stretch their legs and interact.
Central High School senior Jacob Stulken cleared the weeds and fencing from the 80-by-50-foot area previously used as an outdoor kennel to build a dog park. It was his Eagle Scout project.
Stulken said as he was looking for an Eagle Scout project and knew he wanted to do something for the humane society. He eventually suggested a dog park and was given the blessing to run with the idea by the agency.
Jacob Stulken stands with Elaine Schaible from the Aberdeen Area Humane Society in the agility course area he developed for an Eagle Scout project. Courtesy photo
Shelter manager Elaine Schaible said the venture wasn’t easy as the area was overgrown with weeds that had to be cleared and the fencing needed to be taken down.
Stulken said he and his dad made multiple trips to the humane society to clear the area of 6-foot weeds and the chainlink fencing that divided the lot into four sections.
Once the area was cleared, he said, dirt donated by Jacobs Construction was used to cover the ground.
A Facebook fundraiser raised about $2,000 for different obstacles in the park. They include weaving poles, stepping pads, a teeter-totter and two tunnels made out of skid steer and cement truck tires. Stulken said the tunnels are his favorite feature.
A hoop jump was also welded, put together and powder coated by Twin City Fan.
Surprise $2,500 donation will be used for more dog park obstacles
Millie, a German shepherd/Labrador mix, enjoys some of the features of an agility course at the Aberdeen Area Humane Society dog park. Courtesy photo
At the end of his project, Stulken said he received a surprise donation of $2,500 that will be used to purchase additional obstacles come spring. He said one will be a dog walk featuring a ramp up to a platform and a ramp back down.
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While the park has been seeded, Stulken said that will need to be done again next year.
Since the grass hasn’t quite taken root, Schaible said, the park hasn’t used it a ton. But, she said, one of the first dogs that went through it was being evaluated as a search and rescue dog and is now going through more training.
The new dog park is on the south side of the humane society building.
“The changes he made are amazing,” Schaible said.
At least 10 other scouts helped with dog park
Stulken said at least 10 other scouts helped with the project on five work days. On the final day day, parents and members of another troop pitched in.
He estimated they logged about 150 hours working and another 40 hours planning the project.
“It definitely was a lot more than I thought it would be,” Stulken said.
The agility course is a new feature at the Aberdeen Area Humane Society. The park was developed as an Eagle Scout project completed by Jacob Stalken of Aberdeen. Courtesy photo
While the work to clear the ground was a bit overwhelming, once that was done, he said, the project became more manageable. He’s thankful he had so much help.
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The Aberdeen Area Humane Society recently completed a 7,400-square-foot addition in May 2022, which provided a needed expansion to kennel space for both dogs and cats.
With 84 cats, 49 of which are less than a year old, the shelter is at its feline limit. Many of the cats arrived as strays.
Additionally, 22 dogs are ready for adoption. That includes Brandy, who was fostered by Stulken and his family for about a month.
Scheible said while it was under construction, it looked like the building addition was going to be quite large, but it filled up with animals quickly.
To adopt an animal, donate or for move information, visit the humane society’s website or call 605-226-1200.
Editor’s Note: Jacob Stulken’s name was wrong in an earlier version of this story and has been updated.