Oxford High sophomore and life scout of Troop 366 Paul DeAngelis recently donated 11 dog beds to the K-9 Stray Rescue League of Oxford, as part of his Eagle Scout project.

The Eagle Scout project is an opportunity for a Boy Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of his community.

Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouting Program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

With the help of six of his fellow life scouts, Paul drove the project from concept to delivery.

As a former volunteer at the K-9 Stray Rescue League, Paul said he wanted his project to benefit the dogs at the rescue center, which typically holds about 55 dogs at a time.

“I’m hoping this will give those dogs a comfortable place to rest while also making the nonprofit organization not have to pay for more dog beds,” said Paul.

The K-9 Stray Rescue League needed new elevated beds, which can cost over $30 a bed, according to K-9 Rescue League volunteer Marion Muir.

Paul constructed the beds out of PVC pipe and a water-repellent umbrella fabric to keep dogs clean and comfortable above the kennel ground.

According to Muir, the Boy Scouts’ handmade beds have already made a difference at the K-9 Stray Rescue League.

“The dogs love them. We use them outside in what we call the play area,” she said. “We put the dogs outside when the weather is nice . . . and they all have a bed in the area they’re in, so if they want to lay in the sun they can.

“They’re up on the bed instead of (laying on) the gravel, so it makes them comfortable. The donated beds are washable, so we can clean them. It was very helpful indeed,” Muri continued.

As a nonprofit organization, Muir said the donations are especially valuable to the K-9 Stray Rescue League.

Paul’s service project contributes to his Eagle Scout leadership requirements. According to Paul, he learned to manage the work of others and to give direction to his five-member crew.