Area residents are invited to celebrate service animals Sat., Oct. 14 at Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center
VANCOUVER — October’s Second Saturday is going to the birds, dogs and a friendly alpaca.
Families are invited to recognize and celebrate animals who serve in our community from 1 to 3 p.m., Sat., Oct. 14, at Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to meet several lovable puppies from the Guiding Eyes of Clark County, a guide dog, puppy-raising club.
From 1 to 2 p.m., take a selfie with Napoleon, the therapy alpaca, sharing smiles wherever he goes. Kids can read to furry friends as part of Columbia River Pet Partners’ “Reading to the Dogs” program.
The Water Center also welcomes Parrots for Patriots, which will display several colorful birds and provide information on how their organization helps pair veterans with available companion parrots.
There will also be a variety of kid-friendly, hands-on activities. Second Saturdays at the Water Resources Education Center are not only fun, they’re free.
The Water Center is located along the Columbia River at 4600 SE Columbia Way. Visit the center online at www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter or call (360) 487-7111 for more information.
Overlooking the Columbia River, the city of Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center offers exhibits, events and educational programs designed to teach us all how to be excellent stewards of water resources and how to use water wisely.
The Water Center, a division of the city’s Department of Public Works, is also caretaker of one of the metropolitan area’s few remaining natural Columbia River riparian areas, nearly 50 protected acres of adjacent wetlands providing feeding, nesting and resting habitat for more than 120 species of fish and wildlife. The Water Center is part of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve.
The Water Center’s general hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. From Interstate 5 or Interstate 205, take state Highway 14 to Exit 1. Turn south under the highway, then east at the Columbia Shores intersection onto Columbia Way and head east about 3 miles to the Water Center.
Information provided by city of Vancouver.
