Dogmanity Events
Habitat for Dogmanity was a single event we did in 2002 at a rescue in Southern Ohio. The event went so well (bottom of page)
that we continued the Dogmanity events when we heard of a need and had the resources and manpower to make a difference.
Below you will see the stories behind all our Dogmanity events over the years. Dogmanity involves physical improvements at shelters/rescues or large donationdrives or elevated dog making or whatever needs done for the dogs.
Our elevated dog beds made by other groups.
Elevated Beds for Ashtabula County
December 2009
Thanks to Patricia Powers for her unbridled enthusiasm in seeing this Habitat for Dogmanity Project through.
Patricia and Mike not only made numerous beds, but also collected supplies and distributed kits to those willing to assist with this project.
Thanks to our friends at Hague Water, Bill at Harrington Plastics, Capital City Awning, Northcoast Marine Specialist, Pam at Canvas Creations,
Available Plastics, R & L Carriers, Marlene Davies and Robin Piree for their colossal donations and discounts on the materials needed.
Simply, we could not do this if not for the generosity of the companies and people above. A special shout out to David Hague and Tammy Miller
who spent untold hours cutting the pvc to create the kits.
A HUGE THANK YOU to
Columbus Dog Connection for their
donation of 95 raised dog beds!
Thanks to you, our dogs were nestled all snug in their beds for the
night before Christmas.
Your hard work and dedication are truly an inspiration. Your gift
reminds us all what good people can do when they really care.
Tina Hayes, Ashtabula County Volunteer
see more pictures on their site
Ongoing Project
Sponsor a Dog House for
$90
. All work donated by volunteers of
Columbus Dog Connection
Need a Holiday Gift for someone
that has everything ?
Send donation to
Columbus Dog Connection
2761 Johnstown Rd
Columbus OH 43219
or select payment method of Paypal or
SAGE from our front page.
Jeff, Project Foreman
Special thanks to Michelle Franke
& the Gang at Franke's Unlimted
for a trailer load of wood.
Baby Phat. This pooch was sleeping under the deck.
Gangster lives on the east side of town.
His family didn't know he
needed a house during the day and were
thrilled to get new digs for
Gangster. We had a nice conversation
about s/n and Habitat for Dogmanity has
more new friends.
House delivered Dec 2009
Max
House delivered Dec 2009
Shy and His new house, delivered Dec 09, this poor boy had a house before, but it had holes in the roof.
Before & After Nov 2009 Chuck's Story
Chuck is a nice dog that was in desperate need of a new house. Habitat for Dogmanity built and delivered a brand new home for Chuck. Chuck was extremely excited to check out his new digs and happily ate treats as he cuddled in the clean straw inside. We also removed the chain from Chucks neck and fitted him with a new collar that is much more comfortable. Chuck will be warm and safe from the elements in his new home. Chuck lives on the north side of town.
Many of the materials for Chucks house were found in a construction site dumpster which was a huge score – however to continue helping dogs like Chuck we need to have supplies on hand as many houses are needed.
November 2009 Houses delivered to a pit and a cane corso on Ontario St in Columbus. They had been living outside without any shelter. The dogs will now have protection from the elements and keep your fingers crossed - dogs will be s/n as well.
National Make a Difference Day
Click here to see the Building an elevated dog bed
On behalf of Honorary Co-chairs Frances Strickland and Jim Tressel, congratulations on being selected for a 2008 Make A Difference Day Ohio Outstanding Project award. Your project was one of ten selected from over 1,000 reported across the state of Ohio. You and your volunteers have a right to be proud!
built 333 elevated dog beds for rural shelter dogs.
With donations from Capital City Awning, Home Depot, BarkPark and Commercial Office Specialist, we were able to help some very needy dogs. See the results of our day below. And the icing on the cake is the ripple effect of our day. A school group from Anderson Indiana, who helped us on Make a Difference Day, have already made 50 beds for
their local shelter.
Jessica, pictured right with Marlene, delivered 22 beds to Clay County Indiana. The staff are very grateful. Below are a few of the special situations about our beds with their dogs. Thanks to Jessica for her dogged dedication to the neediest of dogs. To the volunteers who gave up their day to build the beds....this is what it's all about. Your effort, your time, your selflessness is helping homeless dogs everyday.
Officials in Clay Co Indiana found this 20lb dog in the country and he has had little to no human contact and is completely shelter shocked. He has been pressed into the corner since they have had him - literally mopping around him. I did spend a little time with the poor guy and you can see he is pretty tense from his body language. I set him on the bed and after a few minutes of petting and massaging I left him to get more pictures.
When I came back I actually got to see his face. This was the first time anyone really saw his face at the shelter. Odds are this guy has no clue what a bed is but he seems to have loosened up and Rosemary said he has been on it and using it. At least if he wants to hide they can clean his cage easier. Update: Jessica found a great home at Mingle With Our Mutts for this once painfully shy pooch.
John, (this note sent to Serve Ohio’s John Poole)
It was nice to meet you at the Columbus Dog Connection Make a Difference Day. The dogs have really enjoyed the beds so far and I have attached a picture of Daisy on her new bed. Before getting these new beds, the dogs either slept on the concrete and/or a plastic crate. I do not have much of a facility that is great for dogs but I am trying my best to help make the dogs life a little better while at the pound. The new beds are a great addition to the pound
and I hope to continue to make improvements. If it was not for Columbus Dog Connection to make and donate the beds, I would have never been able to afford them since the dog pound is usually the last place that any money is spent on since I am usually in the red at the end of the year. I have worked so hard to help the dogs that I get in get adopted out and make their time at the pound more enjoyable but I still have a long way to go. Kellie and the group
of volunteers should be commended for doing such a great job and taking time out of their busy schedules to make the beds. If there is anything else that you may need, please do not hesitate to let me know and again it was nice meeting you. Thanks! Mike Schroth, Putnam County Dog Warden
This
is the pit they saved named Survivor. He will be going to rescue
at the end of the month but has a nice place to rest his bony body while
he gains some weight. Right now he is in better shape then when he
came in but has a long way to go - you can still see his ribs and bones
- regardless he wobbles over to anyone and everyone to lick and love
them. (He still is pretty weak and has a hard time walking, and
standing)
Let me tell you HEARING about Survivor and seeing him were
two different things...that boy can't keep his balance he is so weak and
still EXTREMELY skinny - they said that he has put on weight but he has
a ways to go. He loved his bed. Regardless of how weak he is Survivor
keeps trying to move and show his love. I kept trying to get a picture
of him in his kennel on it but every time he saw me he would slowly
slide off (no energy for hopping) and come to the door but he LOVES it.
And if you want to let CJ know Survivor has his bed....
Oh and he does use the bed every time I went to try to snap a pic of him
in his pen he slid off to get some more loving !
Jessica
Harland County KY
Harland County KY
Paulding Co OH
Population 16,000
September 10, 2008
Thanks to Columbus Dog Connection volunteer Jane Mills for filling her sport utility and traveling to Harrison Co with our donations.
Food, tons of treats, toys, collars, leashes, bowls, shampoo, towels, trash bags, dog breed poster, clippers, gloves, 6 crates, Clorox, 2 box fans, gift certificates, $, buckets, mops, offices supplies, flea/tick meds, tie outs are some of the things we've sent so far. The wonderful gang at Bath & Body Works for not only donating the dog supplies, but a awesome basketful full of personal care for the dog warden ! What a treat he is in for. Thank you Heather Shea, Jessica Dotson and co-workers ! Thanks to Dena Shillingburg from Lane Bryant and Terri Cohee and Debbie Darnell. Thanks to Heidi's Homemade in Grandview for being a drop off spot and of course all the wonderful people who donated items to make the Harrison County dog pound a better place for the dogs.
We believe Harrsion County is the only Ohio county to house their dogs outside. Our original plan was to assist in building walls on their dog gazebo,
but the commissioners are hopefully going to allow the warden to utilize empty county space.
We have one more load of food and supplies to take to Harrison Co along with a donation of our elevated dogs beds to follow soon.
Robin McClelland is the contact in Harrison County Robin_Mcclelland@verizon.net
Harrison County Commissioners can be reached at 740-942-4623 or Commissioners34@verizon.net
(Co Commissioners are William Host, pictured above, Phillip Madzia, Michael Vinka)
Items still needed: small fridge, shelving, 4 x 4 pegboard, panacure, storage shed, truck, straw
Population 15,000
June 25 & May 2008 & ongoing
June 25, 2008
Kellie DiFrischia, Columbus Dog Connection, Tammy Ray, Morgan Co Dog
Warden, Lisa Swermondt, Morgan Co Volunteer,
D Searcy, Columbus Dog Connection, Greg Jackson, Petco, Lillian
Creighton, Morgan Co HS. Picture 2 D Searcy with first
round of donations she transported to Morgan Co.
September
2008 Hi CDC, Just wanted to let you know that our thank you
notes have gone out to all the wonderful folks who contributed to the
truck. I am attaching a photo of the truck with the unit installed.
We're so thrilled. It's hard to imagine that it has become a reality. We
need to still add the signage on the doors and it needs some scrubbing
and buffing and the interior fans and lights connected but it is OURS.
Your participation in all of this means that our celebration includes
you. You'll forever be a part of this truck and when we look at it,
we'll see all the good people who helped us so much. Lillian and Tammy
and the Morgan County Gang
August 18,
2008 Hi CDC
folks, thought you'd enjoy a photo of some pups that absolutely adore
the doghouse. They were found abandoned with no mom in a tire dump and
have some doggie lice problems that require them to be quarantined away
from the shelter. They are having a blast in their new home and will
soon be healthy enough to put up for adoption. Thanks for everything.
Lillian (Thanks to CDC volunteer Cacy
Rossi for dog house donation and transport)
July 16, 2008
Hi Kellie, The little shy girl, Celia, was abused and she
absolutely takes great comfort in her bed. She lays on it all the time
and is more content there than anywhere else. Note one of the dog toys
you sent us as well.
We remain grateful as always for the many useful items we can turn to
every day as we work with the dogs in the shelter. We have puppies right
now, for instance, and those puppy pads are very helpful and sure beat
newspaper. Thanks, Lillian
May 2008
Columbus Dog Connection donated crates, fencing, food, treats, collars,
leashes,
toys, grooming supplies, flea/tick meds, cat food,stainless steel
bowls, towels, shampoo.
Thanks to volunteer D Searcy for filling her van and making the trip to
Morgan Co.
July 7, 2008
For the
full story on Morgan County, visit
www.OhioSPCA.org/counties/Morgan/Morgan.htm
For many years, this animal control was run part time by a dog warden
who didn't care, didn't save any dogs and worse, euthanized them by gun
shot and even buried some dogs alive.
Sadly, this county is low on funds, but their volunteers are ready to
turn things around. County Commissioners Don Reynolds and Rick
Shriver are very supportive.
Karen Skilken & Debbie Darnell,
thank you for your tremendous donations. Both of these dog lovin
dogmanians brought endless supplies of collars, toys,
bowls, beds, treats etc. Carolyn Edens, Cindy Cleveland, Tim
Dowley and Kitty Gereg....thank you for your crates, $ and supply
donations. Danica and Heather from the Paw Spa for the gates and
endless small items donated. Joyce & Bill, none of this would be
possible without your continued support.
Thank
you to Greg Jackson & Petco for the
generous shopping spree extended to Morgan Co through Columbus Dog
Connection. Morgan Co staff/volunteers chose numerous items from the
store that will have an immediate impact on the dogs in their care.
Greg, the always smiling and helpful manager at the Petco Lennox
location, along with his great staff assisted while Tammy, Lillian and
Lisa picked over $500 worth of supplies. After the shopping spree,
Tammy & Lisa filled another pick up truck with food, treats and
supplies of all kinds from the Columbus Dog Connection dog/cat supply
room.
Thank you to Trish and Mike Elkind and Barbara and the friendly
staff at PetPeople for
their donations.
We gave Morgan Co numerous stainless steel bowls from PetPeople as well
as food and kennel mats.
June 30, 2008
Hi Kellie and D,
Tammy, Lisa and I want to thank you for all the kindness and help you
showed us last week. Items are already being put to good use (the
scoopers are a
hit with the volunteers who clean!!) and as we become more proficient
and organized, they will all play a great role in making life happier
and easier for the dogs.
I will be writing a thank you note to Greg at Petco. We've also had a
full shelter this week, which will be remedied today when Clark County
comes to rescue us again by taking the dogs. We've placed numerous dogs
ourselves in the past two weeks as well. It was great to meet you
in person, Kellie, and great to see D again. You are doing fine work for
shelters like ours that couldn't begin to make a dent in their needs
without assistance like yours. Morgan County appreciates
all of your members that help make this possible. Lillian,
Morgan Co HS President
June 13, 2008 Dear Kellie & D, I took the money donation to the local hardware and bought a second floor
fan. It's already running to cool the dogs which is very much
needed on days like today. The local hardware was very nice when they
heard it was for Morgan Co HS and gave us a reduced price, so that
twenty covered the whole cost. It's nice to see more contentment in the
dogs down at the shelter with just these few adjustments to their lives.Thanks for those puppy packs of Heartguard and Frontline. Each day
looks a little better for our dogs. We are very grateful for your help
and support. All the best, Lillian Morgan Co HS President
Population 20,000
January 2008
-food, treats, collars, leashes, a microwave, crates, 1 elevated dog bed, canned food, toys, tennis balls, cloth for more elevated beds
Thanks to Ron & Kris Huffman for their donations and time in hauling the goodies to Mandy in Paulding Co.
Population 27,000
August 2007
Population 34,000
July 2007
David Hague & Tammy Miller donated their well kept van to Adams Co. We didn't want to send an empty van, so we filled it with food, treats, tennis balls, cleaning supplies, 2 hoses, a digital camera, blankets & toys.
Heidi's Homemade collected donated items. And BarkPark
donated a huge list of standard operating equipment such as bite gloves, a catch pole, medicine and much more.
Habitat for Dogmanity 4
Elevated Dog Bed Building Events
July 22, 2006
August 26, 2006
October 28, 2006
The inspiration for our beds, getting the dogs in shelters off
the wet pavement. Notice the dog in the white container?
The people you see pictured below gave their time to build dog beds !
Heart felt thank you to these selfless Dog Bed Building Dogmanians !
July 22, 2006 August 26, 2006
October 28, 2006
part of Make A Difference Day
Our brain trust, Patty
Benkowski and Lisa McCarthy.
Lisa and Patty spent many hours
coming up with the perfect design for our low cost, easy to assemble
beds.
Habitat
For DogManity 3
June 3, 2006
Meigs County Animal Shelter
Kudos to Meigs County
Commissioner Jim Sheets
Commissioner Sheets has
given approval to s/n all dogs, that get adopted before they go home.
This is another huge step in the right direction for the dogs and people
of Meigs County. Say thanks to Jim and let him know how important
this is by emailing
Tom, the dog warden,
tbp67_99@yahoo.com
The Dogmanians
These selfless dog people departed Columbus around 6am on their
day
off work to help the Meigs County Dog Shelter become more dog and
people friendly. Our day working began by 8:30 and the last group
of volunteers left the shelter at 10pm.
Articles about Habitat For Dogmanity
The Daily Sentinel June 2006
The Columbus Dispatch June 3, 2006
The Daily Sentinel May 31, 2006
The Doggie Do-Gooders descended on south-eastern, rural Meigs County to
help the homeless dogs and the great people who take care
of them.
Meigs Co is on the W Virginia line. (the boot of Ohio)
We have been asked by many people why we choose to assist Meigs County.
The reason was simple. We had heard the building needed some
better lighting, plumbing and kennel work and we knew the new dog warden
and his
volunteers were working hard to save the dogs in their county.
Several projects were completed. All building walls were covered
with insulation, 3 large kennels were converted into 9 smaller kennels.
Puppy/small dog wall units were installed,
framing/windows built and installed and a laundry room was created !
The laundry room includes a toilet, 2 sinks, a washer, dryer and hot
water heater. John Van Gundy, Mike Hasson, Kim Trackler, Mike Roberts,
Dan Sizemore, John Kohler worked tirelessly to take nothing more than a
cement slab to a full functioning, insulated, lighted room. Dan
Sizemore & Mike Roberts have gone the extra mile and returned to Meigs
County to ensure all connections are working. What does this mean?
Shelter staff have a restroom and the dogs have a clean bedding to be
comfortable with.
Every project completed will directly and immediately impact the lives
of the dogs at this shelter. Heart felt thanks to all who
assisted.
Kellie, Columbus Dog Connection.com
One of many feel good stories from our day.
You know those stories or pictures that give you a lump in your
throat...well this is one of them. The little pooch you see
pictured above with
Meigs Co Animal Control Volunteer Crystal Hall, was
found as a stray. This 10ish pound pooch seemed to be the kid to
pick on in the
smaller dog enclosure. This is actually the reason Crystal is
holding him,
to give him a break from the other dogs.
The picture to the right are the kennels that were donated
by Rachel Finney and the
Union
County Humane Society.
At 9pm, when the dogs were being re-located back into the kennels,
this little guy was put into a clean kennel by himself and fell fast
asleep
with no one to bother or bully him. I wish I had a picture to
share with
you, but it stopped me in my tracks...and made every moment of blood,
sweat and tears worth the effort. This little dog is the reason we
do
Habitat for Dogmanity Projects.
Thank you Rachel and Al at Union County.
You made such a huge
difference to the small dogs and puppies in Meigs County....most
especially, the little guy pictured above.
BarkPark.org - Many thanks to Marcia and the BarkPark funding board for covering the expenses for supplies for Dogmanity.
Thanks to all of you who donated supplies, drinks, money, food !
Patty Benkowski, Meigs Co WardenTom Profitt & Marianne Profitt , Twila Edgell, Paula Evans, 2nd Chance HS, Diana & Gary Ramsey, Joyce & Steve Yonker, Amy Andress & Christine Brasel, Ellen Brasel, Lisa McCarthy, Shannon & Jeremy McKnight, Mirna & Lauren Bowman, Karen Skilken, David Hague & Tammy Miller, Kevin & Tami Michael, Dan & Kim Dressel, Marv & Jo Baker, Peg & Rick Kaplan, Mary Lou Kunkler, Helen Lewinski, Wendi & Andy Beauseau, Kim Trackler & Mike Hasson, Bill & Brenda Barcus, John Kohler, Sue Pohler, Mary O'Conner-Shaver, Bill Alsnauer Insurance, Jean Henry, Vicki Baer,Toni Walters, Bill & Joyce Hague,Brian Foss & Joel Hunt, James Mull, Dave Schumacher
The dogs of the Meigs County Shelter are more comfortable because of the efforts of the selfless people listed below. Words don't do justice to thank these people for giving their time to help the neediest of dogs in Ohio.
Kim Trackler & Mike Hasson, Bill Barcus, John Kohler, Mike Roberts
Dan Sizemore, Lois Mannon, Tom Van Gundy, Tony Crooks, Ron Blake, Susan Myerowitz, Melanie Cornelius, Bev Corner, Lisa McCarthy, Paula Reed, D Smith, Curtis & Theresa Spencer, Randy Wooddruff, Jason & Crystal Hall, Sarah Dailey, Ashley Hager
Super kid helpers, Matthew & Nick
Habitat
For DogManity 2
November 3, 2002
Volunteers from Columbus Dog Connection gathered once again to complete Habitat
for Dogmanity 2.
On November 3, 2002, eight "Dogmanians" left Columbus for the
southern tip of Ohio to build shelters for the dogs with Mike's Dog
Cabin.
For our first Dogmanity Project, we built a "Delta Dog
House". This proto type seems to work well in dryer parts of
the country, but did not build or hold up well here in Ohio. CDC
volunteer Amy Andres came up with our own version of the Delta Dog House
that will "weather" our climate much better. The sides of
each house sandwich foam insulation and the bottom of the house is set on
water proof 2 x 4's.
For specific instructions on building one of these houses, email us and we
will send plans to you.
Mike Hasson and Bill Barcus worked two weeks prior to our Dogmanity 2 to
pre-build as much of the houses as possible. Once we arrived at Mike's Dog Cabin, it was just
a matter of assembling the parts of the houses. Eight new houses were built. We estimate,
depending on dog personalities and sizes, that each house can accommodate 4-8 dogs each.
Thanks to the Joe Skilken Company for lending the big truck to haul all the
house parts.
The cost of building the dog houses was $1200.00. If you would like
to contribute toward the dog house expenses...thank you...the homeless dogs of Mike's
Dog Cabin will have a much dryer and warmer winter.
Mike Hasson, Ron Barcus, Mike of Mike's Dog Cabin
back row, Kim Trackler, Brenda Barcus, Ron Blake, Tim Berical, Kellie DiFrischia taking the picture, Chuck Penrod
Thanks also to Pam Herb, Melanie Berical, Mirna Bowman
and Karen Skilken for lunch, supplies and the truck.
Habitat
For Dogmanity 1
Spring 2002
See story below pictures
