Paws-itively pampered
Hershey, Maya and Remi at the Pampered Paw Resort in Washington
Cleetus, who visits the resort three times a week, with her owners
The Pampered Paw Resort in Washington, founded in April 2016, offers doggy day care, overnight boarding, grooming and dog walking for all breeds of dogs. Through their volunteer program, the community is brought together while providing a loving environment for the dogs.
Stephanie Cook, owner and operator of the resort, was raised on a farm, which led to a passion for animals. After working in the oil industry, she opened up the resort to offer a safe and fun place for dogs to stay while doing something she loves.
Cook’s caring relationship with the pets is shown by her personalized touch when tending to each playful pup.
When thinking long-term, Cook sees her business striving and expanding to other animals. She is considering the possibility of incorporating a nonprofit adoption center one day as well as a service to elderly pet owners.
“I’m here to provide a good service to allow dog parents to go to work or out of town and leave their dogs where it is safe and comfortable. The atmosphere is safe,” she said. “We spend a lot of time one-on-one with the animals and play with them to give them an overall good experience. We work with behavioral things, such as temperament tests to make sure they are suitable to be here.”
While caring for the dogs, Cook also cares for others in the community. She uses high school students as well as female volunteers from a local rehab center, Turning Point, to help provide them with a therapeutic outlet while obtaining job skills for when they enter the workforce. She is open to working with men in the rehab center as well, but always receives more women volunteers.
Owner Stephanie Cook with Cleetus
Cook is thorough in her work, making sure all employees, volunteers and animals are fit to be within her organization, located at 254 N. Main St., Washington. Cook takes the time to ensure that all of her canine clients react well with one another.
The Pampered Paw Resort’s most desirable services include their grooming and day and overnight boarding. Grooming rates vary between size of dog, ranging from $10 for a toy breed to $25 for an extra large dog. Alternatively, their boarding program has a universal price of $15 for a partial daytime stay and $25 for the entire day, up to twelve hours. The overnight boarding is $28 for a 24-hour period.
Dog owners, including Jaye Mulhollen and Gabrielle Hundley, are very satisfied with the service Pampered Paw offers, as their dog Cleetus, visits three times a week.
“She’s a good one,” Hundley says about Cook and her service.
The resort is located at 254 N. Main St., Washington.
In her two years of work, Cook has made a large impact on the community . As her business progresses, she will continue to pursue her passion for animals in her work, while providing a fun-loving space for her furry friends.
Nicole Bakaitis, Jordan Deems and Amanda Reilly are Washington High School students in the College in High School Sociology class.