Doggies love day care
Animal hospital starts county first
Man's best friend wasn't meant to be alone.
Not even when his owners are at work.
That's why day care for dogs is becoming more
common and why the first such facility has sprung
up in Schuylkill County.
Yes, you read that correctly - day care for
dogs, right here in Pottsville at the Schuylkill
Veterinary Hospital.
The goal is to let dogs exercise and socialize
while their owners are at work.
"Eight hours a day in a crate is way too
long for a puppy," said Kathy A. Lishman,
office manager at the hospital, who doubles as a
day care provider for the dogs.
Many would agree.
Although lots of dogs come to enjoy the
protective, cave-like dwelling of a crate , many
others dread it. And while veterinarians and many
canine experts don't really frown upon crate
training, many agree that more than several hours
at a time can be a bit much.
The hospital's "Doggie Day Care"
facility is located in an adjacent facility
abutting the hospital. There's a clean, large
space for the dogs with plenty of room to romp.
The room was brimming with activity Thursday
morning as seven dogs, with another on the way,
joyfully scurried from corner to corner, tails
wagging, almost smiling.
Eve Thomas, an English Springer Spaniel, was
the spirit of the gathering. Filled with fun and
running with a giggle ball, Eve seemed the life
of the party.
It was Lishman who convinced Veterinarian Sara
T. Thorton, who recently purchased the building,
that a day care for dogs was needed in Schuylkill
County. Thorton subsequently agreed, and the day
care was opened about two weeks ago.
Lishman said the hospital's Doggie Day Care is
the first - and thus far only -one of its kind in
the county.
Although more common in densely populated
areas, facilities providing day care for dogs are
needed everywhere, Lishman said.
With more families featuring two wage-earners,
it's not always an easy decision on whether to
get a dog, Lishman said. And although Doggie Day
Care obviously benefits younger dogs more, all
dogs - and their owners - reap the benefits.
"But it's nice if we can get them
earlier," Lishman said.
Crating can also can also be hard on owners.
Cooped up all day, a dog will most likely just go
to sleep. That means he'll be yearning for play
and exercise when his owners come home from a
tiring day's work.
"Believe me, when they leave here,
they'll sleep," said Jacqueline L.
"Jackie" Clay, a veterinary technician.
The facility accepts any breed and size of
dog. The only requirements are that the dog is
healthy, current on shots, is spayed or neutered
and gets along with other dogs. The dogs' day is
filled with exercise, play, napping, and maybe
even a meal, depending on the owner's
instructions.
Most of the dogs elect to sleep at the same
time, Clay said.
The hospital next door provides an added
convenience in that dogs can see the doctor or
get groomed during the day, Lishman said.
They're even getting a wading pool for those
hot, sticky days this summer.
The hospital's staff rotates so that there's
always someone with the dogs. The dogs already
signed up are adapting well to the idea, although
it usually takes them a few days to get used to
it, Lishman said.
For more information, call the hospital at
622-1098.
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