The Dog Scouts of America have awarded the "Good Scout" Award to Bar Harbor resident Robyn Douglas, Troop Leader of the Downeast Dog Scouts Troop 159. The "Good Scout" Award is given annually to people who help promote humane education on a regular and ongoing basis. "Since starting the troop in Maine, Robyn has built a very active troop that is a great model for others, has made a huge impact in her community and shared Dog Scouts of America's missions with many people" said Chris Puls, President of the Dog Scouts of America.

The Downeast Dog Scouts Troop began in September of 2007 and has twelve household memberships including dogs from Chihuahua's to Great Pyrenees. The troop is a membership organization in Hancock County that promotes responsible dog ownership and increases the awareness of the human/canine bond. The troop comes together to learn, socialize and help others in the community. The Downeast Dog Scouts Troop is a non profit sub-group of the Dog Scouts of America and the only local troop in Maine. The Downeast Dog Scouts Troop 159 was recognized as a "Top Dog Troop" for 2008 by the Dog Scouts of America. The Hancock County troop was one of eight community troops across the USA to be recognized at the most active troop level. The Dog Scouts of America Troop Recognition Program rewards troops for being active and helping in their community.

As Troop Leader, Robyn registered the troop with the Presidential Volunteer Service Awards Program. For 2008, the troop received the Group Silver Level Award (500 - 900 volunteer hours) and five troop members received Individual Bronze Level Awards (100 - 249 volunteer hours). Troop members and their dogs provided a total of 676 hours of community service in activities such as: therapy dog visits, children reading to dogs programs, school visits, walkathons, clean up days, and volunteering with dog related organizations in Hancock County. Troop members who received awards included: Pam Bourque, Pier Carros, Anne Czechanski, Robyn Douglas and Denise Houseknecht.

Among her accomplishments, Robyn helped develop a Carriage Road Hiking Certificate Program available to any member of the Dog Scouts of America that hikes all 57 miles of the Carriage Roads with their dog. Robyn is also a Dog Scouts of America Scoutmaster. A Scoutmaster is a person certified by the Dog Scouts of America to evaluate members and their dogs for the Dog Scout Title. Robyn has led by example with her dog Cirra, a Great Pyrenees. Cirra has earned the Dog Scouts of America titles of Dog Scout, Pack Dog and Pack Dog Excellent and has earned several Dog Scouts of America merit badges including: backpacking, clean up, community service and therapy dog. In addition, Cirra has earned the Downeast Dog Scouts Carriage Road Certificate. Cirra is a Canine Good Citizen, a registered therapy dog with Therapy Dogs International, Inc. and is registered with Robyn as a team with Reading Assistance Education Dogs.

Robyn and three other troop members participate in Children Reading to Dogs Programs at two local schools and four libraries. During 2009, Robyn successfully queried authors and publishers for book donations to the Children Reading to Dogs Program so that reward books can be given to children participating in the reading programs. The Downeast Dog Scouts Troop 159 donated 26 sets of pet recovery oxygen masks to the fire departments and ambulance services in Hancock County that needed them. Funds for the masks were raised from a June 2009 yard sale organized by troop members. In 2008 and 2009, the Downeast Dog Scouts Troop helped to organize the Canine Carnival with the Coastal Crescent Kennel Club to Celebrate AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day. The Downeast Dog Scouts participated in the 2008 Bar Harbor Fourth of July Parade, winning third place for their float featuring a Dog Scout campsite. For the last two years, the troop has participated in the Ellsworth Christmas Parade and Downtown Family Festival providing "safety around dogs" information to children. Robyn keeps the community informed about the Downeast Dog Scouts through numerous local Community Calendars and news releases regarding their programs and accomplishments.

In summary Chris Puls wrote, “These are just some of the events and activities Robyn has helped her troop organize. She is a great motivator and troop leader and her troop is a model of activities for all to follow. She deserves this recognition for all the many hours she has put forth to promote the Dog Scouts of America, positive training and community service.”

For more information about the Downeast Dog Scouts Troop 159 contact Robyn Douglas at: downeastdogscouts@yahoo.com or 207 266-5807. Information about the Dog Scouts of America is available at www.dogscouts.org.