We at Pet Care Trust want to thank Lew Sutton for his 9 years of service as our President.  We also want to welcome Brent Weinmann to the position!  Please read the press release below for more details.

Pet Care Trust Names New President

Brent Weinmann, CEO of Vitakraft Sunseed, Inc. has been selected to take over as President of The Pet Care Trust after Lew Sutton steps down after 9 years of service.

The Pet Care Trust is pleased to announce that Brent Weinmann, President and CEO of Vitakraft Sunseed, Inc., has been appointed as President of the Pet Care Trust, a non-profit organization that promotes public understanding regarding the value of and right to enjoy companion animals, enhances knowledge about companion animals through research and education, and promotes professionalism among members of the companion animal community.

Weinmann’ expertise in the pet industry and philanthropic work will be an asset to his leadership role. In addition to being President and CEO of Vitakraft Sunseed, Inc., a manufacturer of pet food and treats, Weinmann is on the board of American Pet Products Association, and has held seats on the boards of Wood Lane industries and Wood County Workforce Policy Board.  He has been on the board of the Pet Care Trust since 2002.

“Brent Weinmann has a long track record of service to the Pet Care Trust as a member of the Board of Trustees,” said Steven King, Executive Director of the Pet Care Trust. “His leadership skills, creativity and devotion to the Trust’s mission will be in evidence even more during his term as president.”

Weinmann will be taking the place of Lew Sutton who has served as the President of the Pet Care Trust for the past 9 years.   “Lew Sutton has helped transform the Pet Care Trust into a vital contributor to a better understanding of the importance of pets in our daily lives,” said Steven King. “Under his leadership, the Trust first created the Fish in the Classroom program, then Pets in the Classroom, which is having a profound impact on school age children throughout the country.”

Sutton’s leadership has left a lasting impact at the Pet Care Trust, an impact that Brent Weinmann plans to expand on in his own presidency.

“I am looking forward to continuing in the strong direction that Lew Sutton provided for 9 years as the President of the Pet Care Trust,” said Weinmann. “I plan to focus on our signature program, Pets in the Classroom. Working with teachers to help give them an opportunity to make pets part of the learning process is exciting.  The Trust has received hundreds of thank you letters, pictures and stories of how student engagement and stimulation increases when animals are part of the curriculum.  Since the beginning of the program the PCT has authorized over  6000 grants to teachers across the country.  This has the potential of enriching the education and lives of nearly 180,000 students.”

For more information on the Pet Care Trust, visit www.PetsintheClassroom.org/about.

The Pet Care Trust is pleased to announce that Brent Weinmann, President and CEO of Vitakraft Sunseed, Inc., has been appointed as President of the Pet Care Trust, a non-profit organization that promotes public understanding regarding the value of and right to enjoy companion animals, enhances knowledge about companion animals through research and education, and promotes professionalism among members of the companion animal community.

Weinmann’ expertise in the pet industry and philanthropic work will be an asset to his leadership role. In addition to being President and CEO of Vitakraft Sunseed, Inc., a manufacturer of pet food and treats, Weinmann is on the board of American Pet Products Association, and has held seats on the boards of Wood Lane industries and Wood County Workforce Policy Board.  He has been on the board of the Pet Care Trust since 2002.

“Brent Weinmann has a long track record of service to the Pet Care Trust as a member of the Board of Trustees,” said Steven King, Executive Director of the Pet Care Trust. “His leadership skills, creativity and devotion to the Trust’s mission will be in evidence even more during his term as president.”

Weinmann will be taking the place of Lew Sutton who has served as the President of the Pet Care Trust for the past 9 years.   “Lew Sutton has helped transform the Pet Care Trust into a vital contributor to a better understanding of the importance of pets in our daily lives,” said Steven King. “Under his leadership, the Trust first created the Fish in the Classroom program, then Pets in the Classroom, which is having a profound impact on school age children throughout the country.”

Sutton’s leadership has left a lasting impact at the Pet Care Trust, an impact that Brent Weinmann plans to expand on in his own presidency.

“I am looking forward to continuing in the strong direction that Lew Sutton provided for 9 years as the President of the Pet Care Trust,” said Weinmann. “I plan to focus on our signature program, Pets in the Classroom. Working with teachers to help give them an opportunity to make pets part of the learning process is exciting.  The Trust has received hundreds of thank you letters, pictures and stories of how student engagement and stimulation increases when animals are part of the curriculum.  Since the beginning of the program the PCT has authorized over  6000 grants to teachers across the country.  This has the potential of enriching the education and lives of nearly 180,000 students.”

For more information on the Pet Care Trust, visit www.PetsintheClassroom.org/about.

West Shore is Going to the Birds

By Ms. Dascola, Mrs. Dermer and Ms. Sturges

Respect, Responsibility, and Caring…three things that every West Shore Wildcat knows very well! Two fifth grade teachers, Mrs. Laura Dermer and Ms. Elizabeth Sturges, and one second grade teacher, Ms. Amy Dascola, have recently incorporated these three character traits into their daily science instruction. Being a Positive Behavior (PBS) school, these three are traits that are important to all of us here at West Shore. These three teachers are using science and the care of animals to help instill these in their students.

It all started with the writing of a grant. Each teacher submitted a grant through Pet Care Trust to help with the care and cost of having a classroom pet. They worked as a team to get the grants written and now all three classrooms have an extra $100 to help care for the rescued cockatiels. The students are now assisting with the upkeep of having a class pet and Blanca Nieve, Lola, Shiloh, and Flower have become temporary classmates for the students. Through a partnership with Florida Parrot Rescue, a not-for-profit avian rescue dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of companion birds, the students are learning to be responsible by helping clean the animals’ cages, they are demonstrating care by giving the birds food each day and keeping their water dishes full, and showing respect by not teasing or mishandling the birds. It is a positive situation for all involved. The teachers know they are helping their students become better people, the students are receiving hands on experiences as part of life science, and the birds are enjoying a happy time in their lives before they find their permanent homes. 

 
The last step in this process will also include the students showing respect, responsibility, and caring for the birds. Our students are foster “parents” for the birds and hope that homes can be found for their feathered friends once the school year comes to a close in June. Once a home is found, they will have to be responsible and respectful enough to be willing to let the birds go and care enough for the birds to know that a permanent home with a loving family is what is best for Blanca, Shiloh, Lola and Flower. The family or individual that adopts these little birdies will be wonderfully rewarded. They will be receiving a new family member that has been lovingly cared for and tended to for many weeks. For more information on becoming a forever home to a feathered friend go to www.FloridaParrotRescue.com.