Alexis E., a Girl Scout Cadette from Troop 499, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Silver Award from the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. For her project, Alexis organized a team of volunteers to create recycled enrichment toys to help shelter dogs reduce stress, stay mentally engaged, and increase their chances of adoption.

The Silver Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette can earn, challenges scouts to take meaningful action in their communities.

Alexis was inspired by her own experience rescuing two shelter dogs. “I learned that dogs in animal shelters can suffer from stress, boredom, anxiety and destructive behaviors. Some dogs can be housed at shelters for a very long time before being adopted. These animals need enrichment activities like the ones that my team and I created to stimulate their minds and improve their mental health, which will make them happier, and therefore more likely to be adopted.”

Alexis identified a need for mental stimulation for dogs living in shelters, understanding that boredom and anxiety can impact their behavior and adoption potential. She partnered with Animal Welfare League of Port Charlotte and Fairytale Endings Rescue to research best practices for dog enrichment and design toys using recycled toilet paper and paper towel rolls stuffed with treats.

Through her leadership, Alexis organized volunteer workshops, purchased and collected supplies, and supervised the creation of 90 enrichment toys for the two shelters. She also provided step-by-step instructional flyers so community members can continue making toys, ensuring the project’s sustainability.

Reflecting on the experience, Alexis shared, “I discovered not to be discouraged by setbacks and to persevere… I had to be very persistent and try again.” She also emphasized the leadership and organizational skills she gained: “Another useful skill I learned was how to use leadership to delegate tasks… One of the most important skills I learned was to be persistent when problems came up. All of these skills will help me in the future in many ways.”

Alexis’s project demonstrates the Silver Award’s mission: empowering young women to take meaningful action in their communities while developing skills that will serve them throughout life. By combining creativity, persistence, and leadership, Alexis has created a sustainable project that will continue to benefit shelter dogs and inspire others to get involved.