CITY OF PRATT PARTNERS WITH SCCF FOR NEW DOG PARK
Posted Tuesday February 15, 2022
South Central Community Foundation is thrilled to announce its partnership with the City of Pratt to assist in the fundraising and planning efforts for the upcoming dog park. The establishment of the Pratt Dog Park Fund will allow local community members to donate to the upcoming dog park in Pratt County.
“This has been a request from community members for a long time,” said Holly Rooks, SCCF Executive Director, “SCCF is so thrilled to help with this incredible project.”
With SCCF’s mission to assure a bright future for South Central Kansas, the Foundation is here to assist with any upcoming projects or programs in their seven county service area.
For more information about SCCF or to donate to the Pratt Dog Park Fund, please contact the office at (620) 672.7929 or sccf@sccfks.org.
Click here to donate to this fund!
UPDATE - MARCH 19, 2024: GRAND OPENING ANNOUNCED
UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 11, 2022: MARCO TESKE DOG PARK
South Central Community Foundation, in partnership with the City of Pratt, is excited to announce the creation of the Marco Teske Dog Park.
After Community feedback and the many stories of Randy Teske and his guide dog, Marco, impact on the Pratt Community and state of Kansas, it was clear this park could only have one name!
The Dog Park Committee will be working hard for the next few months to fundraise in Marco’s memory for park needs such as fencing, waste bins, and benches.
Additionally, the Committee is still researching other areas of funding, such as State and National Grants, so the Park may eventually have two names if required by the grant.
For more information about SCCF, or to donate to the Pratt Dog Park Fund, please contact the office at (620) 672.7929 or learn more about Randy and Marco’s impact below.
Randy and Marco’s Story
Randy Teske was on the fence about needing a guide dog until he met someone familiar with the KSDS Assistance Dogs Inc, based in Washington, Kansas. Due to Randy’s loss of eyesight, he applied for a guide dog and waited roughly 10 months to receive his new companion that would completely change his daily life.
These dogs are trained to the highest level, allowing Randy the freedom and security to move about with aid from Marco, his golden retriever guide dog. Marco spent 250 hours of training before coming to Randy and his wife Susan’s home in Pratt and received more training locally with a trainer before becoming Randy’s fulltime companion.
Randy considered it the greatest honor to have Macro for nearly 7 years before an unfortunate cancer diagnosis took him too soon. In their years together, Randy and Marco presented to over 150 programs such as Rotary, Lions Club, and schools all cross the state; educating those unfamiliar with guide dogs and the proper way to interact (or lack thereof) around guide and service animals.
Randy and Susan give the highest compliments to KSDS in Washington, which is a nonprofit that provides professionally trained guide, service, and facility dogs for people in need of a canine partner to enhance their independence, to fully function in society and/or to enrich their professional career responsibilities. To learn more about KSDS visit www.ksds.org.