TERRE HAUTE ? Talks continue between Ivy Tech Community College and the Terre Haute Humane Society to locate the animal shelter at the former Doughmakers building, with Ivy Tech offering a veterinary technician and related programs.
?We feel very confident at this point? that it will happen, said Ann Valentine, chancellor at Ivy Tech?s Wabash Valley region. The proposal first became public in January.
Valentine said Ivy Tech has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Humane Society board. Both will help fund a? feasibility study to determine the success of a fundraising campaign to support the collaborative project.
A joint fundraising campaign would look to raise $2 million to $4 million, Valentine said.
Part of it, $200,000, would be used for Ivy Tech to purchase equipment for new programs, including one that trains veterinary technicians. Other possible programs include animal-assisted therapy, kennel management, and grooming.
The campaign also would pay for renovation to part of the Ivy Tech Learning Achievement Building (TechLAB), formerly known as Doughmakers, to house the animal shelter. The shelter would have to have a separate air handling system from the building?s nursing, and potential diesel technology, programs.
The shelter also would need such things as additional kennels, cages and a commercial laundry system, Valentine said.
The humane shelter would be located on the west side of the TechLab building, she said. That way, the shelter could open kennels and runs toward grass and trees on the west side and away from U.S. 41.
?Our hope is if we could get as far as $4 million [in a campaign], we could endow some of their operating expenses,? Valentine said
Depending on how the feasibility study goes, a fundraising campaign could start early next year. Initial feedback ?has been pretty positive,? she said.
Ivy Tech would like to begin offering some of its new programs next fall. Starting those programs would not be contingent on the animal shelter locating there, if more time was needed to raise sufficient funds.
The proposal to locate the shelter there ?is very much alive and we?re making progress,? Valentine said.
Debbie Floyd, board president of the Humane Society, also is optimistic. ?We?re definitely making progress and working toward it.?
?She noted that building plans have been drawn up, although they need to be fine-tuned.
?Every indication I have is that this is a wonderful opportunity for Ivy Tech, the Humane Society and the community,? Floyd said. ?The building we have is not a healthy environment for this day and age.?
The new location, with the services that Ivy Tech programs could provide, ?will help us improve ourselves,? Floyd said.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
Source: http://tribstar.com/news/x253535509/Ivy-Tech-Humane-Society-accelerate-animal-shelter-dialogue
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