For many of us, our pets truly are family. Their care and well-being is of the utmost importance.
A happy dog (or cat) truly makes a happy home.
Luckily, we have three groups of dedicated professionals to help us provide the best for our furry friends.
Wag Shack
Carrying out the dream of their mother Shannon for a doggy daycare, twin brothers Ben and Andy Hedric opened the Wag Shack 2019.
For the past three years, the twins and their dedicated staff have provided a quality play date for puppies, along with a good home away from home for boarding.
“He and I grew up around dogs and have a deep passion for dogs,” Ben said. “It’s crazy. I forget people don’t really experience walking in a room with 30 dogs. It’s a regular experience that I sometimes take for granted.”
The playcare is becoming increasingly popular as a way for pet owners to get their dogs exercise to burn off extra energy and socialize with others. It also provides a more controlled setting than a trip to the dog park.
“The daycare stimulates them and helps them develop,” Ben explained.
It also helps dogs who need to be boarded when the owners are headed out of town. Ben said dogs who have been to the facility, 308 E. FM 1830 Building 15 in Argyle, acclimate faster.
“When they come to board they are less stressed,” Ben said. “It’s a second family. They are coming to a place they know.”
In June, the Wage Shack launched grooming services to completely spoil your pooch.
My Joy Unleashed
When Joy Leavitt was 9, her unruly dalmatian went for training, and at the insistence of her father, she went also.
“I learned to deal with the dog. It was the beginning of my dog training,” Leavitt said.
After careers as an elementary teacher and flight attendant, it was her own goldendoodles River and Skye who started her new business of teaching others how to train their dogs.
“I have two really good dogs and people started asking me to help them,” Leavitt said.
She works with clients in their home teaching them how to sign to their dogs. Many of the lessons are picked up quickly by children.
She works with all ages of dogs, including many rescues.
“I love going into people’s homes and helping to teach them,” Leavitt said.
Blair’s Ruff House
When returning to the workforce, Blair Munger had one prerequisite — spending as much time with animals as possible.
That led her to start her own mobile pet care service, making drop-in visits to take care of animals while their owners are at work or out of town.
“Our tag line is pets love us and humans trust us,” Munger said. “We provide a piece of mind to pet owners."
Munger points out the pet being able to stay in their own home and be visited is helpful for everyone.
“It’s less stress on the pet parent and the animals are so much more comfortable in their place.”
The business has grown to currently 12 service providers, who take care of all sorts of pets from dogs, cats, horses, llamas, goats and even lizards and insects.
“We’re happy to meet all kinds of animals,” Munger said.
Many of the pets make their way to the Blair’s Ruff House Facebook page. But she also shares pictures with owners as an extra reassurance their loved ones are being care for.
“We send a lot of pictures. We’re big on communication,” Munger said.
"I forget people don’t really experience walking in a room with 30 dogs. It’s a regular experience that I sometimes take for granted.”
Ben Hedric