One of the most commonly asked questions is "Why Jud, North Dakota?" The answer to that is Edward W. Duden. At a Lions club presentation in 1989 the question was posed to SDA representatives, "What do you need?" The answer was quick in coming. "We need a place to call home." With that, Lions club member Edward W. Duden made the offer of 10 acres of land should SDA choose to call Jud its home. After having attempted to find a home for the project in larger North Dakota cities, this was a welcome offer. The decision was made to locate the project in Jud, and in 1991, construction of the facilities began.
The first building to be constructed was a 4000 square foot training and kennel building. A capital campaign began in 1990 to raise the $146,000 projected budget. With half of the money raised, ground breaking was held in the early spring of 1991. Construction proceeded immediately following this. By October of 1991, the project was complete. Operations were moved to the Jud location at this time.
Given a successful capital campaign, SDA purchased a used mobile home to be used for staff housing. An additional need became apparent as we prepared to host our first out of state assistance dog recipient. Construction on a student apartment began following completion of the training building. The student apartment is a 572 square foot fully accessible four-room housing unit, complete with a kitchen and roll-in shower unit. Construction was completed in November of 1991, just days prior to the arrival of Sara Murdoch from Tennessee. Sara was the first of many students to live in the student apartment during their 3 week team training.
When students are training with a dog at the school...they stay on site in one of the two apartments.
The North Star Lions from Bismarck have been active at the school for the past several years. In 2008, the club decided to take over the renovation and furnishing of one of the apartments. |
A second student apartment, the Ruehle apartment, was constructed in 1993. This was funded by the Ruehle family of California. Very similar to the first student apartment, the Ruehle apartment gave us the ability to conduct more than one team training session at any given time. We are forever grateful to the Ruehle family for this most gracious gift.
In late 1994, discussion began on growth plans for the future. SDA had two separate "growing" needs, both of equal importance. Additional kennel space was needed to house an increasing number of dogs in training. An increase in staff would also be needed to increase our capabilities. This kicked off a second capital campaign, as well as the development of our apprenticeship program.
By early 1996, funding was in place for what is now known as the "Lions Wing Addition." With an agreed upon split of the $132,000 projected costs, it looked like the Lions Wing would become a reality. Rural Economic Community Development, Lions Clubs International Foundation, and individual donors (including many Lions clubs) shared the financial burden. In 1998, construction was completed on the 3,200 square foot addition.
Also in 1998, the Edgeley, North Dakota chapter of the Jaycees kindly donated chain link fencing materials to construct a 4,000 square foot exercise yard. The exercise yard gets used often, and is an asset far greater than its dollar value.
Through the summers of 1999 and 2000, there has been a good deal of effort put into grounds development. Basically it came down to cleaning up after nearly 7 years of construction.
At the present time, the Service Dogs for America training campus consists of a 7,200 square foot training and caning housing facility (excluding outdoor kennel runs), a mobile home for apprentices and staff, two student apartments, and a 3,200 square foot exercise yard. Also there are an additional 2,000 square feet of exterior kennels and communal runs.
The Lions Memorial Park, directly across from the main building, is a 12,500 square foot area that includes a 16 foot octagonal gazebo and is surrounded by a split rail fence. These facilities sit upon ten acres of land, located at the extreme
south edge of Jud, North Dakota.
We are extremely and eternally grateful to every individual who responded to our capital campaign needs. Having stood upon this property after it was donated and prior to construction, it is quite remarkable to view what has been created from a mere dream. A dream that, without thousands of dollars in caring gifts,
would never have been realized.
