“I am now officially a Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient! Nothing makes me happier than seeing all the months of hard work play out in this way.” – Natalie

The Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council would like to congratulate Natalie Jarmon on earning her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest, most prestigious award in Girl Scouting.

Natalie’s love for animals was demonstrated by the enthusiasm she has for the health and welfare of cats and dogs. Her Gold Award project culminated in the Pause 4 Paws Pet Care Fair in Temecula, California, a public event for the whole family.

“Pause 4 Paws came about from my experiences with homeless animals. In working with the shelters and with different rescue groups, I have seen and fallen in love with countless animals from dogs to turtles who are homeless and just looking for someone to love them,” said Natalie.

This event attracted a wide range of vendors to demonstrate how to care for pets and advise those in attendance about their beloved animals. Topics included feeding, grooming, dental care, dog training, vaccinations, licenses, microchips, neutering and spaying. The vendors handed out samples and flyers containing useful information.

Natalie led a group of 19 volunteers to plan and carry out this event, with raffle prizes at the end of the event for humans, cats and dogs. The Pause 4 Paws event attracted 430 participants, exceeding Natalie’s goal by nearly 200 people! Natalie created a Pause 4 Paws website with an updated blog, as well as links to Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr to give information about pet resources in her community that focus on the health and welfare of animals.

She exuberantly thanks her Girl Scout Leaders, Girl Scout Council, the vendors and guests who made her pet care fair so special, and, “last but not least I want to give an enormous thank you to my mom for putting up with me this whole time and Deborah Holland for guiding me.”

Natalie wrote on her blog, “I am now officially a Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient! Nothing makes me happier than seeing all the months of hard work play out in this way.”