Counseling Center, Animal Refuge Destroyed By Fire
Posted
Michael Anderson-manderson@timesuniononline.com
A Sunday morning fire burned down a ministry building of Isaiah 11 Counseling Center and Animal Refuge, according to Director Linda Ozier.
The fire claimed seven dogs, three cats, a dove and some fish. The fire is believed to have been caused by electrical issues, Ozier said.
She said the group focuses on healing traumatized kids and animals.
“When you put a hurting animal in the hands of hurting kids, they heal together,” Ozier said.
One girl told Ozier she lost one of her best counselors in the fire, the bird. She had watched the bird learn to fly. She would hold the bird during counseling sessions, Ozier said.
One of the cats was being watched by the group, while its owner was in a domestic violence shelter.
The group also lost all of its counseling and pet supplies.
The animals that stay outside or in the barn were unharmed by the fire.
Despite the rubble, Ozier says she intends to continue. She expects to hold her regular Tuesday night group later today.
She says they will meet outside or in the barn.
“We will go on,” Ozier said.
Ozier is still in the cleaning-up phase. She says they are looking for supplies and perhaps a shed to store the supplies in.
“After that, we will decide what we need to rebuild,” she said. “We’re still in brainstorming mode.”
The center, located at 6256 W. CR 100N, Warsaw, is asking for donations on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Isaiah11Ministry.
