Back to School? Consider Doggie Daycare.

By: Brett Jorrey, CVA

            You may be thinking to yourself, “Really, doggie daycare? Is that a real thing?” The answer is yes; doggie daycare is the new craze in the animal care industry and remarkably is sweeping the nation at an incredible pace. The next question you may be asking yourself is “Why would my dog ever need to go to daycare?” and the answer may surprise you.

            With “back to school” in our forethoughts, our lives become busier and busier.  Unfortunately, it becomes easier for us to forget about the needs of our four-legged friends, not only physically, but mentally as well. These needs include exercise, affection and socialization to name a few. When these needs don’t get fulfilled, we sometimes see an increase in delinquency and this, in turn, leads to even less attention due to owner frustration. This is where doggie daycare comes into play, and can honestly change the lives of those who attend. In daycare, dogs attend one to two sessions per week, and receive hours upon hours of continuous free play in a fun, safe and controlled environment. At Murphy Road Animal Hospital, all of our participants have a known background and have passed strict temperament testing to ensure everyone gets along. Dogs are able to fulfill their basic instincts by interacting with other dogs in a pack-like situation. They also have an outlet in which they can exert all of their harnessed energy, which pleases many clients when their pups return home for the evening! In addition, the dogs receive training and instruction in basic manners from our skilled staff which supervise them at all times.  The enrichment that dogs can receive from daycare is truly incredible and we see problem dogs become more relaxed and well-rounded in their daily lives, even when attending just once a week.

            With all of this in mind, as your children head back to school for the fall and your canine companions become bored at home, I strongly urge you to consider doggie daycare. It’s a wonderful and exciting experience from which both you and your pet will benefit.