Berkshire Humane Offers Free Rabies Vaccines, Microchips, Reduced Adoption Fees

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With an American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Subaru Loves Pets Grant, all animal adoptions in October will be discounted by $50 and people can get their pet inoculated against the rabies virus or a free pet microchip on Oct. 29.
 
This initiative is also supported by community donations.
 
The free rabies and microchip clinic for cats and dogs will be from 9 am to 11 am at Haddad Subaru at 625 East Street. Dr. Charlotte Barkley of Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital will administer the vaccines. 
 
 Pet owners should bring the latest rabies certificate for their pet, even if it has expired. Dogs should be on a six-foot, non-retractable leash and cats should be in a carrier. 
 
"With this generous funding, we can help homeless animals find their forever families and keep pets in their homes by offering free services," said John Perreault, Executive Director of Berkshire Society. "We know pet owners have had a hard time scheduling veterinary appointments, so providing a free, walk-in rabies clinic rabies clinic helps keep animals up to date on their vaccinations. We’re also hoping people will take advantage of getting a free microchip for their pet. We scan all stray cats and dogs that come into the shelter for a microchip. It’s a great way to quickly reunite you and your pet if it gets lost."  
 
The clinic at Haddad Subaru begins a day of festivities at Haddad Subaru on Oct. 29, including food and giveaways. 
 
After the clinic, Live 95.9 will broadcast from 11 am right up to an on-the-air drawing at 1pm for a 2023 Subaru. 
 
Tickets are still available for $40 each or three for $100 and can be purchased at Haddad Subaru, Berkshire Humane Society, Nature’s Closet, Bartlett's Orchards, Chez Pet, Catwalk Boutique, Purradise, The Shop by Only in My Dreams Events and by calling 413-447-7878, extension 131. 
 
For more information, visit BerkshireHumane.org

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Central Berkshire Navigating AI in Education

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School District is researching artificial intelligence in education to inform future policy and practice.
 
"Our ultimate goal is to at least to have some common expectations that we can rally around first," Assistant Superintendent Aaron Robb said at December's School Committee meeting. 
 
In September, Robb established an AI ad hoc committee made up of teachers, a student, the IT director, and a School Committee member. The committee has been trying to meet twice a month, he said. 
 
It is charged with researching the challenges and opportunities AI presents in education to help the district navigate the "AI revolution."
 
Throughout the process, the committee will get guidance from Fadia Rostom-Makdisi, computer  scientist, AI educational adviser, and former principal of St. Agnes' School. 
 
"She's gone off on her own as a consultant and she's doing some consulting work with schools around AI and she's been doing some, as we've just been calling it, 'AI 101' training in our district," Robb said. 
 
During the November professional development days, almost 100 district staff and faculty received a three-hour basic AI training from Rostom-Makdisi which covered the how and what of AI and several commonly used AI tools in education. 
 
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