An Independence Township scout’s thoughtful project will soon be nourishing the minds, bodies and spirits of rescue dogs in Oxford as they eagerly await adoption.

Life Scout Evan Raddatz, a member of Troop 185 sponsored by Our Lady of the Lakes Parish and Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club, built three pieces of agility training equipment for the K9 Stray Rescue League (K9SRL) in Oxford.

“I’m a huge dog person,” said the Clarkston High School senior. “I wanted to do something for a rescue group.”

Raddatz built a teeter board, weave poles and jump bar, all of which are used for dog agility, a sport that involves handlers using various cues and body language to direct canines through an obstacle course.

He did this as part of his efforts to become an Eagle Scout.

One of the requirements to earn scouting’s highest rank is planning, developing and providing leadership for a service project that helps a religious organization, school or community.

Raddatz chose K9SRL after reading a Facebook post from Christine Kirkpatrick, an Independence Township resident who volunteers with the group. She put out a request for agility training equipment.

“I just wanted to help give back to the dog community,” he said.

Founded in 1990, K9SRL is a state and federally licensed nonprofit group that saves dogs from being euthanized in shelters and accepts those surrendered by owners for various reasons. All dogs are cared for until they’re adopted into permanent homes.

Last year, K9SRL helped 637 dogs find their forever homes.

Raddatz is a big believer in people opening their homes and hearts to dogs that have been abandoned, abused or neglected.

“We’ve always had rescue dogs,” said Raddatz, whose family has two rescue pooches – Hunter, 8, and Piper, 6. “They need a second chance,”

To finance his project, Raddatz didn’t just ask folks to give him money. He rolled up his sleeves and took action.

“I went around my neighborhood collecting scrap metal,” he said.

He cashed in on things like a washing machine, refrigerator, elliptical bike, copper piping, air tanks and a tire balancer.

Raddatz also collected returnable cans and bottles to earn cash.

Between these two efforts, he raised $280, which covered his costs “with plenty to spare,” he said. He donated the extra to K9SRL.

Assisting him with building the obstacles were his father, Kirk Raddatz; Eagle Scout mentor, Dave Weslowski; and fellow scouts, Aaron Rusch and Alec Vinstra.

On Saturday, Raddatz delivered the equipment to K9SRL at 2120 Metamora Rd.

“We are so grateful to him for helping us help our dogs and enriching their lives,” Kirkpatrick said. “We are thrilled.”

Orion Township resident Jenny Wyatt, who’s volunteered with the rescue group for about three years, believes agility training benefits dogs in a variety of ways.

For one thing, it provides pooches with a great workout. “Ten minutes of solid agility training is the equivalent of a one-hour walk,” Kirkpatrick said.

It also “helps stimulate and challenge their minds,” according to Wyatt.

“They don’t have a lot to do in their kennels, so we’re always trying to think of (activities) because dogs are smart and they want to do things,” she said.

Wyatt conducts agility training at K9SRL’s facility on Sundays, weather-permitting. She introduced the sport to the group after training her own dog.

“We never competed,” Wyatt said. “I’m not claiming to be an expert. It’s just for fun.”

Agility training is particularly beneficial to rescue dogs because it helps them overcome their issues, according to Wyatt.

“We get a lot of dogs that are so scared and timid and afraid of people,” she said. “We often don’t know what they’ve been through to make them like that.”

Agility training helps build trust and develop strong bonds between canines and humans, which makes them “more adoptable.” It also bolsters their self-confidence.

“When they finish that course, they’re proud of themselves,” Wyatt said. “They can’t wait to get that treat and they want to do it again. They just really want to please you.”

“It’s a lot of fun for the dogs and the handlers,” Kirkpatrick noted. “(It’s something to) further enhance their lives while they’re waiting for homes.”

Wyatt hopes Raddatz’s generosity and compassion will inspire other young people to donate to K9SRL or volunteer with the organization.

For more information about K9SRL, please visit www.k9stray.com, check out the group’s Facebook page or call (248) 628-0435.