By Kim Eisele
On an Air Force base in Arizona, a furry rabbit named Oreo is teaching young people about responsibility. But Oreo, named for its black ears and tail and white body, isn't merely a beloved pet. He's just one element of in a wide-ranging effort to bring programs and activities to young people living on U.S. military installations through the Arizona 4-H Military Partnership.

The Partnership supports University of Arizona Cooperative Extension employees to train military personnel in 4-H principals so they can offer consistent and meaningful youth development programs on military bases, says Lisa Lauxman, acting assistant director for the University's 4-H Youth Development Program.

Since military families move so frequently, young people are routinely separated from family and friends. Such disruptions can affect their mental health, education, and social lives, Lauxman says.

Consistent programming is crucial to helping kids adapt, adjust, and belong. "The purpose and intention of the Partnership is for youth of military families to feel like they belong when they go to military installations anywhere in the world," Lauxman says.