In 1990, Ken Licklider started his dog training business, Vohne Liche Kennels, in his living room. 600 acres, three countries, and two states later, he is adding another facility to his portfolio – the former Miami County YMCA building on the corner of Sixth and Wabash Street.

Licklider’s vision for the building is to become a residential training facility for dogs and their handlers, who already come to Vohne Liche Kennels from around the world. Licklider says Vohne Liche has provided training to handlers from Ecuador, South Korea, and Algeria.

It took a hopeful eye to see the potential in the building, though. Danny Parker and Rodney Correll, who are in charge of the project, said the building was in a state of disarray when they first walked through it; old furniture sitting in barren rooms, plumbing damaged after the fixtures were ripped from the wall, doors removed from their frames, and banisters cut off the stairwells.

“You had to look under all the mess they’d made and look into the future. I mean look at this,” Licklider said, gesturing to the common area. “I’ve been a dog handler my whole life and I’ve never had anything like this. They can sit around here, they’ve got a card table around the corner, a pool table in there. I’ve never had anything like this.”

Danny Parker said there had been multiple ideas for how the building could be repurposed while the YMCA was searching for a buyer, but none were willing to put in the investment to keep the building from deteriorating further. He said the building would have likely been demolished and made into a parking lot if they hadn’t purchased it.

The facility, once finished, will have 18 dormitories for dogs and their trainers, several common areas, a gym that will be open to the public while not in use, and a pool. Licklider says he is excited not only for the impact it will have on his training business, but the impact it will have on the city.

“Think about what the town’s going to gain. These guys are going to eat at these restaurants. These guys are going to have a few beers. They’re going to shop. This town is going to gain so much from this place,” Licklider said.

Licklider’s business now spans across the world – dogs he has trained have served in police and military forces across the country and even abroad.

“It’s the greatest feeling in the world. When we go somewhere, they know who we are. When I teach, I’ll have 500 people in my room. It’s a good feeling,” he said.