Vo-Tech students stuff the doghouse

SPARTA — Building Trades teacher Steve Wagner of Wantage has been donating doghouses to local animal rescues since 2008.

“It’s a part of the curriculum,” Wagner said. “It gives students an excellent breakdown of all phases of construction from flooring to 2x4 framing, trim work, staining, painting and roof installation.”

Wagner came up with the idea to donate doghouses built by Vo-Tech students after encountering One Step Closer Animal Rescue volunteers at the Newton Walmart, during a bake sale event to raise funds.

“The students are doing something good, and at the same time, learning part of the trade,” Wagner said. “Besides construction, building trades also covers electricity, plumbing, dry-wall installation, low-pressure boiler systems and industrial maintenance.” Wagner explains most of the materials used to build the doghouses are either donated or recycled, and that all building trades students — freshmen through senior — contribute to the construction of the doghouses.

Wagner builds about two houses a year with his students. In the past, the classes have donated the doghouses to the following non-profit, no-kill rescues: Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary in Middletown, N.Y., Father John’s Animal House in Lafayette and O.S.C.A.R. in Sparta.

O.S.C.A.R., which wasn’t in need of a doghouse, referred Wagner to Pets Alive, who is this year’s recipient of the doghouse that was built in November and December.

“It is quite an experience," Freshman Brandon Hall, 14, of Wantage said. "There is a lot to do when building a doghouse. I liked framing the walls and roof the best.”

Fellow ninth-grader, Casey McClelland, 14 of Hamburg agrees:

“It’s fun, hands-on work,” McClelland said.

Meanwhile, Wagner held a dog food and supplies collection at the school. All donations are ‘stuffed’ inside the doghouse. He said Walmart donated $50 worth of dog food to the cause.

Dottsie Perez, the executive Director at Pets Alive thanked Wagner and his students

“We are very grateful," she said. " I think it’s inspiring that they want to contribute something to the animals. They put a lot of time, dedication and thought into creating quality doghouses that can be used all year-round.”

Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary rescues more than 1,000 animals every year. Currently sheltering approximately 100 dogs and 125 cats, Perez says, “We also have horses and pigs.” With two other facilities located in Puerto Rico and Westchester County, N.Y., Pets Alive is always in need of donations.

“We survive on donations and sponsorships,” Pets Alive volunteer and staff member Andrea Greco said. “Blankets are in huge demand during the winter.” Wagner said. “All the doghouses we build are insulated to provide a more comfortable environment for the animal.”

Pets Alive also works to expose cases of animal cruelty.

“Our sanctuary already has three doghouses that were donated to us in the past by Mr. Wagner’s building trades classes,” she said. "The fourth house Pets Alive will have received from Wagner and his students. We are very appreciative.”