| Editorial in the March/April 2007 edition of Chicago Woman Newspaper What about Fido?
With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to forget the one who counts on you the most your dog. You spend the entire weekend with him at the dog park, playing in the yard, or just lounging on the couch, and you both enjoy every minute of it. But come Monday morning, you’re off to work, leaving Fido behind to wile away the hours, anxiously awaiting your return. I speak from experience. As an accountant, I work very long hours. My work schedule keeps me away from home and my beloved dogs. Although my three, young, high-energy dogs are usually well-behaved in my absence (the hole in the couch, stain on the rug, and agitated mail carrier incidents, notwithstanding). I felt terrible about leaving them home alone for such long periods of time every day. I decided to put them in “doggie daycare.” However, I quickly discovered that such facilities were few and far between, and the ones I did find were not very impressive. Having owned dogs my entire life and being an active volunteer with Illinois Doberman Rescue, I knew I had a passion to work with animals of the canine persuasion. So I went back to school to learn everything I could about the dog care industry, and opened my own doggie daycare- Alexander’s Doggie Daycare and Grooming Spa. I’ve never been happier! We have over 3,500 square feet of safe indoor/outdoor play area. Dogs play in supervised group settings, enjoy a variety of activities, and receive lots of loving attention. Our daily program is very structured. Everybody greets everybody in the morning. We have several outside potty breaks throughout the day. We play with toys and tunnels, work on basic commands, and have all natural treats. Dogs that are here for a full day enjoy an early afternoon nap with dimmed lights and soft music because it is hard work having so much fun! When our daycare dogs board overnight with us, they retire to their “suites” along with all of their personal belongings, and rest until they can play again with all of their friends the next day. There are several factors to consider when looking for a quality dog care facility: • Licensing • Cleanliness • Supervision and staffing ratios • Safety • Daily activity schedules • Initial assessments • Playgroups • Vaccination requirements • Size of the facility and outdoor space With so much to consider, it is important to do your homework. Visit as many facilities as possible to see, firsthand, how they operate, and ask a lot of questions. Stop by the facility unannounced. If the staff discourages you from making unannounced visits, consider this a huge red flag. Quality facilities have nothing to hide; they want you to visit and ask questions. Choosing a dog care facility for your dog is no different than selecting the best school for your child. Take the time and do it right. Fido will love you for it! About the Author Tina Hoogervorst is the owner of Alexander’s Doggie Daycare & Grooming Spa, located in Orland Park, Illinois. She founded the daycare and grooming spa in August 2005. |