Eagle Scout Candidate Creates 3 Dog-Agility Courses At Sepulveda Basin Park

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A San Fernando Valley community is enjoying a new dog-agility course in their neighborhood dog park, thanks to the contributions of a civic-minded teenager.

Eagle Scout candidate Conrad Rutherford worked tirelessly -- for some 1,500 hours total -- to install three different agility courses at the Sepulveda Basin Off-Leash Dog Park.

Rutherford designed the courses, which have hoops and jumps, as a way to give back to the community while working towards earning his Eagle Scout badge.

"Dogs tend to run around in circles," Rutherford explained. "This gives them something fun to do, and it gives the owners something to do with their dogs that's fun."

The 17-year-old raised thousands of dollars and corralled more than 75 volunteers to make his vision a reality.

"The work is worth it," he added. "It feels good to give back. I love to see smiles on peoples face."

According to Rutherford, giving back to the community will always be a part of his mission, regardless of when he earns his Eagle Scout badge.

Rutherford even has some famous fans.

"Young And The Restless" star Kristoff St. John was playing with his pooch at the park recently, and said he loves Rutherford's contribution to the community.

"You've done a mighty fantastic job," St. John told Rutherford. "I'm your big fan."

His father's pretty proud, too.

"You reach a level of maturity and realize you get more out of life when you learn to give more," Richard Rutherford said.