IRHS construction students build houses for SPCA pups

Dozens of dogs waiting for a new “forever home” have temporary digs at the Sussex County SPCA in Georgetown. And those digs are about to get a little nicer, thanks to 10 students at Indian River High School.

Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark
Jason Watts and Rashaun Odean tie in the rear wall of a dog house for a project during their Construction and Manufacturing class at Indian River High School. The dog houses are being donated to the Sussex County SPCA.

The Construction and Manufacturing students are currently building five new dog houses for dogs that are living at the shelter. Technology education teacher Allen Timmons said he originally got the idea to build the doghouses from a colleague at Sussex Central High School.

“It was done at Sussex Central, when I used to teach there. Howard Gaines was the instructor there and he did it, and I’m just stealing his idea,” Timmons explained.

Timmons started working with wood in junior high school and from there went on to work for various companies, doing carpentry work.

“It’s more or less a passion. It’s just something I really enjoy,” he said.

Timmons said that his third-year students are building their carpentry skills and, in past years, the third-year students had constructed a staircase and railing, as well as multiple cabinets, in the shop classroom.

“We started working with models last year, so that they could learn how to do construction techniques,” explained Timmons. “Now we need to move to something a little larger. You can’t go out and build houses and sheds, so this is something where the kids can actually get some construction knowledge to work and follow the same construction practices as they would in a normal shed or home.”

Prior to beginning construction of the doghouses, the students first had to research and choose a breed of dog, to build the dog houses to proper sizes for those particular breeds.

“I like building bigger,” said student Jason Watts. “We usually build scale models. It’s interesting. You’re learning something new.”

Student Rakeem Feddiman said that the class has helped him learn valuable skills that he has used outside of school. In fact, he volunteered with his church youth group and helped build houses in Millsboro, honing the skills he learned in Timmons’ class.

“It’s fun, instructive. You get to build new stuff,” said Feddiman of Timmons’ class. “It’s just fun coming here, and we can learn to use tools.”

Student Kyle Greif said that Construction and Manufacturing 3 is a great hands-on activity at school, one that’s educational and helps relieve stress. He added that the project is extra-special to him, because his family recently adopted a dog.
Coastal Point • R. Chris Clark
Chase Treadwell and Matt Tisch tie in a header.

“I actually just got a dog from the SPCA not too long ago, and I think making them the doghouses and giving back to them is a good thank-you for them,” he said.

Plywood and shingles for the doghouses were donated by Heathman Roofing, and Timmons said that other supplies, such as paint, were paid for out of the class budget.

“We’ve been very fortunate that some of the community has helped us out and donated supplies,” he noted.

Last year, Timmons’ class constructed a bookcase, storage cabinet and three musical-instrument storage units for John M. Clayton Elementary School. Timmons said he hopes to continue their community service by donating picture frames made in future classes to local nursing homes.

Timmons said he and the students hope to donate the doghouses to the local animal shelter by the end of the month.

“I also like to show the kids about giving back to the community, and they love it,” said Timmons.

“I think it’s nice,” added Watts. “Coming from a family that doesn’t really have much, to give back in a way that you never really had a chance to, it feels good.”