Canine Care Building Dedication

October 2011

Animal Care Sanctuary (ACS) dedicates the Canine Care building to Ronald J. Sheehan of Toms River, NJ.    Mr. Sheehan was a lover and protector of all God’s creatures both large and small.  He was an U.S. Army Veteran, self-employed businessman, co-founder, trustee, and board member of ACS. 

Mr. Sheehan found the Animal Care Sanctuary property in East Smithfield for Lesley Sinclair, founder of ACS, when her operation in Toms River outgrew the converted chicken farm there.  Mr. Sheehan designed the Canine Care building and provided careful supervision of the construction process.  At 400’x36’, the Canine Care building is now home to approximately 100 dogs.  .

As part of the dedication, tours through the Canine Care building were given to showcase Animal Care Sanctuary’s recent renovations geared toward improving the quality of life of the dogs in our care.  A wall was erected which serves to reduce noise & stress.  An isolation and quarantine area was completed to house intakes or sick animals.  In addition, traditional kennel areas were transformed into a real life room where dogs could live together in a homelike setting complete with furniture and décor.  This allows the dogs greater comfort and will increase their adoptability.  Our goal is to erect three more walls and create nine additional real life rooms as grants or donations are received. 

The dedication ceremony was held on October 15, 2011, one year after Mr. Sheehan’s death.  The ceremony was well attended by his family and friends who traveled from great distances extending from Ohio to Massachusetts to honor this wonderful man.  The ceremony opened with a prayer by Brendan Sheehan, Ron’s son.  A plaque was erected outside of the Canine Care Building with a duplicate being presented to Jacqueline Greulich, Ron’s best friend and soul mate of 24 years.  Carrie Carroll, ACS board chair, highlighted Ron’s dedication to ACS’ mission and shared fond memories.  Next, tours were given through the Canine Care building with a lunch to follow.  To all who knew him, he was a religious, clearheaded man of integrity, who loved life, family, friends and animals. He lived his life deliberately, with much gratitude and a gifted sense of humor.  It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Ron’s life & love of animals with the people who shared his life.