National Farm Animals Awareness Week, Sept. 15-21, means something very special to Ryan Courtade, 16, a junior at Highland High School.

        He would like to teach the world not to treat animals as property, commodities or things.

        Ryan founded Love All Animals and serves as president of the group.

        He has two dogs and a cat, but he doesn't refer to himself as an animal owner.

        “Rather than refer to ourselves or others as owners of animals we share our lives with, we now refer to ourselves and others as guardians of our animal friends,” he said.

        He said animals should also be referred to as he or she rather than it.

        “Guardians don't buy or sell animals, instead they rescue and adopt,” he said.

        Ryan has planned a CompassionFest Sunday at Burnet Woods.

        The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization, plans to cap its celebration of National Farm Animals Awareness Week by participating in the CompassionFest.

        There will be a booth with child-oriented information and games that educate children and adults about the ability of farm animals to interact socially, learn from experience and feel emotions.

        Carolyn Evans, president of Happy Tails, an animal-support group, said she hopes the CompassionFest will bring together different groups to share ideas on animal awareness.

        “There are many groups supporting animal awareness. This is a chance for the group to interact at one venue,” she said.

        The Humane Association of Butler County, a nonprofit organization, will hold the sixth annual Critter Caper, a 5K fun run/walk at Joyce Park in Hamilton Saturday.

        Money from the event will be used to help low-income families spay and neuter their pets, said Pam Elcik, outreach volunteer coordinator.

        Information: 867-5727.

        ———

        Xavier University basketball coach Thad Matta will be the first speaker in the Companion Scholars Speakers Series.

        Coach Matta will address students participating in St. Xavier High School's Companion Scholars Program at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at St. Xavier.

        The program was created to expose students to success in various walks of life, said Roderick Hinton, program coordinator.

        Other speakers are Cincinnati City Councilman David Pepper, Oct. 16; Clyde Gray, Channel 9 news anchor, Nov. 13; Ross Love, president and CEO, Blue Chip Enterprises, Dec. 18; Valerie Lemmie, Cincinnati city manager, March 19; and Bob Huggins, basketball coach at the University of Cincinnati, April 16.

        ———

        The Sickle Cell Outreach Ministry at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 10180 Woodlawn Blvd., Woodlawn, will conduct a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

        ———

        The Spina Bifida Association of Cincinnati, a support group for parents of children and adults with spina bifida, is conducting a Walk and Roll Sunday at Miami Whitewater Forest on the Shaker Trace Trail.

        Information: 923-1378.

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