Benjamin Yusman has always adopted his “best friends” from animal shelters.
To honor three past “best friends,” and three current ones, the Oakton High School sophomore created and helped build “Best Friends Dog Park” for the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
“Ever since I was a little cub scout, I wanted to do an Eagle Scout project” with the animal shelter he said.
Yusman is a Life Scout from Boy Scout Troop 1257 at Episcopal Epiphany Church in Herndon.
“Boy scouts is very important to me. I love the outdoors, I love camping, I love nature,” he said.
Using a previously unused space in the shelter’s backyard, Yusman sought to create an environment that would help the dogs be more comfortable when meeting prospective adopters.
Yusman learned from participating in the Eagle Scout projects of other boy scouts in his troop.
When it came time to plan his own Eagle Scout project, he approached the Fairfax County Animal Shelter in the spring.
“Benjamin has always had dogs in his life, and we have always rescued them from local shelters, so it is very personal to him,” said his mother Amy Yusman.
Benjamin wanted to find a shelter that doesn’t euthanize animals.
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter received the Compassion Award from the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies for its work to reduce unnecessary euthanasia.
According to the Fairfax County Animal Shelter website, the shelter accepts “all animals in need, regardless of age, health or temperament. Any animal that is healthy, treatable, adoptable or rehabilitatable, is placed in an adoptive home, a foster home or is placed with one of our 100 rescue partners. Animals are not euthanized because of a lack of space and there are no time limits for adoption. ...
“We are proud to have one of the highest placement rates in the region.”
WITH HELP from Boy Scouts and parents from Troop 1257, Yusman created a mulch walkway, butterfly garden, wood benches and a dogbone-shaped flower garden.
Yusman completed his project on Sunday, Sept. 13.
He also built three benches, one for each of his past dogs, Sabrina, Copper and Clover, and last Thursday, Sept. 17, he brought his three current “best friends,” Mocha, Disney and Cannoli, to inspect his work.
He collected donations from local businesses, including all of the lumber, bolts and screws, dirt, plants, and mulch from Home Depot and the Burke Garden Center.
Starbucks, Giant and Shoppers donated food and snacks that he gave to his helpers.
He managed 34 volunteers, including other scouts from his troop and parents.
“I was beaming. It’s quite a process you go through,” said Amy Yusman.
“It came out really well,” said Benjamin Yusman.
Benjamin’s grandfather who lives in Illinois wanted to be involved, too, and built the sign for Best Friends Dog Park in the shape of a bone.
“He was very supportive,” said Benjamin Yusman. “He’s an awesome grandpa.”