Fall 2007, work got underway on improvements required for our Conditional Use Permit.
As many of you may already know, or might have read about in a July article in The Bellingham Herald (click here to read the article), we have to widen the road, upgrade the fire-suppression system and install more parking spaces in order to keep our permit, which allows Animals as Natural Therapy to operate.
Feedback from the article has been amazingly generous. People from around the community contacted our office and have donated much-needed resources to assist with the projects. From a local psychologist we got this vote of support: “We have made a donation of $1000 to the program in appreciation for your work in our community and with our clients.” --Evan B. Freedman, Ph.D. and the Freedman and Associates group practice.
Excavation work on our fire pond is complete and next we will tackle the road and parking. Our longtime volunteer Dick Ward has been a gem in helping lead this project. Our deepest thanks also to the following local individuals and businesses for their generous donations of items and services:
Michelle Thompson of Landmark Building & Development in Mount Vernon, for leading us through the CUP process;
Tavis Gann, civil engineer, for donating his expertise;
Marv Heeringa for donating much-needed backhoe work;
Calyx Hoag for donating sand, which was hauled by
Brian DeKoekkoek, owner of 4K Trucking Inc. in Everson.
ConocoPhillips, for $3.000 grant
Strider Construction
Concrete Nor'west
Builders Alliance
We are currently still in need of crushed gravel for the road widening and parking and drivers to deliver the gravel. If you or anyone you know has resources to donate to assist with these necessary improvements, please contact our office at (360) 671-3509.
