After more than a decade of serving local pet owners, the team behind Howliday Pet Resort is stepping into an exciting new season, one of continued growth, a refreshed brand and the same trusted care that has defined the business since their beginning. Owner Summer Gerhardt shares about their journey, what clients can expect from the pet resort, and exciting collaborations for the thriving business.
How did your journey with the business begin?
We celebrated 12 years in business this May, but our connection to the community started even earlier. A close friend of ours opened the business, and my husband, Brandon, worked for him during that first year. When he decided he wanted to sell, the opportunity came up for us to purchase it. Because we already believed in the vision and had firsthand experience with how the business operated, it felt like a natural next step for our family.
What services does Howliday Pet Resort offer today?
We provide dog boarding, daycare, light grooming, and training services. Those core offerings have remained very consistent over the years. Clients know what to expect when they bring their pets to us and that consistency has helped build long-term trust within the community.
You recently rebranded. What inspired that decision?
After more than a decade, an opportunity came along that made it feel like the right time for a fresh look. We introduced a new name—Howliday Pet Resort—along with a new logo, but we kept our signature green color because it has always represented who we are. The rebrand isn’t about changing our identity; it’s about presenting it in a way that reflects where we are today.
What does the past year represent for the business?
This past year has been a strong one for growth, both in the number of pets we serve and in the systems we’ve put in place to better support our clients. One of the most exciting things though, was our renewed collaboration with K9s for Camo, an organization that trains service dogs for veterans. I got to be a part of helping build this nonprofit in 2017 and then stepped away for a few years. Now that I’m serving as Vice President of the board, there has been a wonderful path forged for Howliday to work closely with K9s for Camo, especially by way of doing evaluations and train the trainer sessions. This has been a year full of changes for us, but it has been encouraging to see the continued trust of the community after so many years.