Board Member and their Dog's Bios

Gary Hallum Co-Chairman and Saide

Gary Hallum has been a resident of Columbus for 32 years with his wife, children, grandchildren and Airedale Terrier named Saide who keeps them highly entertained! Gary is retired teacher from the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, where he taught for 30 years. Gary is heavily involved in giving back to our community volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Book Buddies and The Columbus Indiana Dog park Association. Gary has grown up with dogs, and truly enjoys animals.

Martin Dorgan Co-Chairman and Chloe, Cowboy, Marley

Martin has been a businessman and entrepreneur since childhood.  After graduating high school his initial career move was in the automotive industry.  Along the way he has had career changes which included Quaker State, the transportation industry, and owning and operating a tanning salon.  Martin has three adult children and nine grandchildren living in Canada, which he tries to visit at least annually.  Martin has been a resident of Columbus for five years, and a Realtor, and knows this city well.  He has met many very nice people that have become friends through varied events, or memberships in clubs like the Moose Lodge, or Corvette Club of Columbus.  Most recently Martin has joined the Columbus Indiana Dog Park Association, and Co-Chairs the board of directors.

Chris Dunlap Board Member with Seager and Ivy

Chris Dunlap is the president of the dog park association.  He has lived in Columbus all his life, except for a brief period after college.  Chris and his wife Sara share the responsibility of raising two dogs, 8 year old Seager, and 7 year old Ivy, and everyone shares in the responsibility of raising their rambunctious 3 year old son Jackson and sweet 4 month old daughter Emerson.  Their first dog Seager was a planned adoption.  Seager was adopted as a puppy from the Tippecanoe County Humane Society in Lafayette, Indiana.  Ivy on the other hand was more of an accident.  While visiting some friends in Lafayette, Sara and Chris had some time to kill, and decided to visit the humane society and play with the puppies for a while.  Ivy melted their hearts, and it was decided they could not leave her there another day.  Luckily, their information was still in the system at the humane society, so they could be expedited through the process.  They were a little concerned Seager might not take to the new puppy, but their concerns were put to rest the first time Seager and Ivy met.  Chris became passionate with bringing a dog park to Columbus when he and his wife took their dogs to a dog park in Indianapolis, and saw how beneficial the experience was for everyone involved.   

Seager a mixed breed adopted from the Tippecanoe County Humane Society as a puppy.  It was first thought he might be a Rottweiler, or Doberman, mostly because of his coloration.  The vet swore he was part Corgi, because of his long torso, and relatively short legs.  In addition, the profile of his face is reminiscent of a German shepherd with the beauty mark.  He loves to chase things that run from him, chew the occasional bone and play fetch once.  He does not understand why he should bring the ball back to you if you are just going to throw it again.   

Ivy is a mixed breed also adopted from the Tippecanoe County Humane Society.  As a puppy Ivy had a fairly pointy muzzle which led us to believe she might be part Collie.  As she has grown, she looks more like a retriever.  Ivy enjoys running from Seager, playing fetch, playing in the wading pool, and having someone scratch her spot.  Ivy is a loyal and loving dog, and is always the first to respond when called.  Ivy isn’t the smartest pup in the litter, but what she lacks in brains, she makes up for in beauty and speed, she is one of the faster dogs at the park.

Cheryl Farrar Secretary with Angus and Bigsby                              

Cheryl and her husband Bruce have been residents of Columbus for 8 years. They have two dogs both of which are English Labrador Retrievers. Bigsby, or Big Dog for short, is 8 years old and loves to get into mischief. Angus, or Angie Pooh is 7 years old and is the sweetest puppy (yes she knows he is not a puppy.) They are the joy of their lives.

Cheryl graduated from Northeastern University of Illinois with a bachelors in Education. She has spent most of her career working with young children in the Head Start Program. Cheryl has volunteered in the community by serving on her neighborhood Design Review Committee and being on the board of Columbus Indiana Dog Park Association. Cheryl grew up with dogs, cats, and birds. She has always had a love for animals which has driven her to be an advocate for pets and an active participant in getting a dog park in Columbus.