Celebrating Six Years at Luckydog - A Journey of Transformation
As I celebrate my sixth anniversary as the owner of Luckydog, I reflect on the incredible journey and the transformative changes we’ve made together. These years have been filled with growth, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. I am deeply grateful for your continued support and trust, which have been instrumental in making these achievements possible.
In these six years, we have:
Tripled Our Staff: Over the past six years, we have significantly increased our team, tripling the number of dedicated employees on-site at any given time. This growth allows us to provide personalized care for each dog while maintaining the same number, or even fewer, dogs on-site. With more staff members, we can ensure closer attention, better supervision, and a higher quality of care for every pet. Our expanded team means more hands to engage with, monitor, and nurture the dogs, ensuring a safe and enriching environment for all our furry guests.
Optimized Our Facilities: We have significantly enhanced our facilities over the past six years. What started as one yard has now expanded into five, allowing us to create smaller, more manageable groups overseen by well-trained staff. This expansion enables us to provide more focused and personalized care for each dog. Additionally, we have increased the number of video cameras so that all yards are viewable by clients. This level of transparency is not typical in the industry, and we take great pride in offering it to our clients. By giving pet parents real-time access to view their pets, we foster trust and peace of mind, ensuring that you can see firsthand the high level of care and attention your dogs receive.
Launched an Enrichment Program: We have introduced a comprehensive enrichment program designed to significantly increase engagement and enhance the overall experience for our pups. This program includes a variety of stimulating activities and exercises that cater to the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the dogs in our care. By incorporating interactive play and mentally stimulating activities, as well as agility equipment and FitPAWS dog fitness equipment, we help ensure that every dog is not only entertained but also enriched, promoting their overall happiness and health.
Upgraded Lodging Accommodations: To provide the highest level of comfort for our guests, we have upgraded our lodging accommodations with more home-like amenities. These improvements help ensure that every dog feels at ease and relaxed during their stay. Our enhanced accommodations include elevated cozy bedding, climate control, and personalized attention to create a welcoming and comfortable environment. By replicating the comforts of home, we aim to reduce stress and provide a pleasant experience for all our furry guests.
Enhanced Climate Control and Air Quality: We made a significant investment in climate control for our indoor daycare, helping to ensure that the space is usable and comfortable year-round. To further enhance the environment, we added industrial-grade air scrubbers to improve air quality. Our HVAC units receive frequent servicing, including monthly filter changes, to help maintain optimal conditions. These measures help to ensure that our facilities are always at an optimal temperature while minimizing contaminants, providing a safer and healthier space for the dogs. Our commitment to maintaining excellent air quality and climate control underscores our dedication to the well-being of the pets in our care.
Built a State-of-the-Art Grooming Area: We have constructed a state-of-the-art two-room grooming area equipped with the latest technology to help ensure a safe and comfortable environment. These areas include a separate HVAC unit and air scrubbers to maintain optimal air quality and temperature. Our grooming facility is designed to provide a calm and pleasant experience for the dogs, minimizing stress and maximizing comfort. With top-of-the-line equipment and a focus on hygiene, we offer high-quality grooming services that cater to the needs of every pet.
Expanded Our Services: We have broadened our range of services to better meet the needs of pet parents and enhance the experience for the dogs in our care. Our expanded offerings include the Canine Academy, which provides advanced training and educational programs, and Private Park Adventures, which offer exciting and secure outdoor activities. We have also added a 12' x 24' pool for one-on-one swim sessions with our senior team members, providing an additional enriching experience for the dogs in our care. These new services not only add convenience and solutions for pet parents but also help us tailor the experience for each dog, ensuring they receive personalized care and attention that caters to their unique needs and preferences.
Strengthened Professional Partnerships: We have established valuable professional partnerships, including regular consultations with a local vet, semi-annual on-site staff education meetings, and collaborations with a board-certified vet nutritionist. Additionally, we are currently seeking a partnership with a board-certified vet behaviorist. These partnerships, along with first aid certification and ongoing education for our team members, help ensure that our staff is well-informed and capable of assessing and enhancing the well-being of our dogs.
Enhanced Outdoor Play Areas: We have significantly upgraded our outdoor play areas to increase engagement and enjoyment for the dogs in our care. We’ve purchased three jumbo playsets, which have added new dimensions of fun and physical activity to our playgroups. Additionally, we have added much-needed shade to the outdoor play area with shade sails, misters, canopies, and play pools to keep the dogs cool and comfortable. We are also in the process of constructing a large above-ground pool for monitored swim sessions, further enhancing the outdoor experience. These improvements help to ensure that the dogs have a safe, enjoyable, and enriching environment during their playtime.
Improved Client Communication: As a former client, I know firsthand the importance of timely and accurate communication with pet parents. To ensure the highest level of accuracy, our vet consultant reviews all health-related announcements, including the vet-recommended plan of action—a practice that sets us apart in the industry. Over the past six years, we have evolved from door signage to simultaneously offering email notifications, push notifications via our app, and announcements on our webpage, providing a triple safety net to help ensure messages are received. We have also been actively searching for a modern booking platform to greatly increase the ease of scheduling and adjusting services. For nearly a year, we have been part of the beta testing team for Goose, a groundbreaking platform in our industry. We are excited to announce that we will make the switch in October. The expected upgrade can be compared to moving from a Blackberry to an iPhone—it's going to be a game changer for both our clients and our team. Keeping our pet parents informed and equipped with an easy-to-use online platform is of utmost importance, and we will continue to implement the latest technologies to keep you updated on all things Luckydog.
Introduced an App and Redesigned Our Website: To enhance client convenience and improve the overall experience, we introduced a comprehensive app. This app allows pet parents to easily view cameras, book services, and access a range of other features, all from the palm of their hand. Additionally, we undertook a complete redesign of our website to better reflect our values and mission. The new website offers a more user-friendly interface, detailed information about our services, and insightful content to keep you informed about best practices in pet care. These digital tools are designed to help ensure seamless communication, provide easy access to important information, and enhance the overall service experience for our clients.
Revamped Cleaning Protocols: We have completely overhauled our cleaning protocols to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and safety. Upgrades include the use of accelerated hydrogen peroxide, the gold standard in animal care, a commercial floor scrubber used nightly, regular professional cleaning of our K9 grass including daily use of non-toxic digestive enzymes to keep it clean and fresh, four air scrubbers placed throughout the facility, monthly HVAC service with filter changes, and a dedicated full-time position that focuses on cleaning with the assistance of the entire team to keep cleanliness as a main focus. Documented SOPs are available at the touch of a finger to help ensure procedures are executed properly. Helping to ensure the safety of the dogs is a top priority for Luckydog, and we take pride in the efforts made over the past six years to reach our current standards.
Developed On-Site Support: To ensure the highest level of care and attention, we have implemented on-site manager presence seven days a week. Our managers are always available to offer support, address any concerns, and ensure smooth operations. This constant supervision allows us to promptly address any issues and provide immediate assistance, enhancing the overall experience for both the dogs in our care and their pet parents.
Introduced Comprehensive Employee Benefits: We believe that a happy, healthy team is essential for delivering top-notch care. To support our employees, we have introduced a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, vision, and dental insurance, helping to ensure their well-being. Additionally, we offer a 401k with company match to help our team plan for their future. Our scholarship program for top performers provides opportunities for advanced training and professional development, further enhancing their skills and dedication. These benefits are designed to attract and retain the best talent, helping to ensure that your pets are cared for by passionate and well-supported professionals.
Established Comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Building our SOPs from the ground up involved months of documentation and the development of an efficient task list system with supporting documents. This system helps track procedure completion to ensure tasks are executed accurately and in a timely manner. Our SOPs are living documents that get updated regularly. All information is accessed through an app that employees can easily reference and use to mark off tasks in seconds. We are currently developing an employee training program to elevate the training level of our employees and help ensure tasks are carried out effectively and promptly. This is integral to offering a safe and enriching experience for the dogs in our care.
Leadership and Expertise: My background includes 7 years in veterinary medicine, including 2 years of vet school, and 13 years in corporate business. I was also a client for five years before taking over ownership. These experiences have given me the skill sets to implement meaningful changes in a timely manner, helping to get Luckydog to a level that I am proud to call my own. We have established valuable professional partnerships, attended multiple national conferences, and consulted with industry leaders to stay at the forefront of best practices. These efforts ensure that our staff is well-informed and capable of assessing and enhancing the well-being of our dogs.
Building a Great Company Culture
Over the past six years, we’ve worked hard to develop a great company culture. Our comprehensive interview process helps us find the right fit for our team, and we’ve adopted an interactive, leading cloud-based HR system. We’ve launched an employee reward system that allows employees to be recognized by management and each other with points that have cash value. Additionally, we offer annual cash bonuses, a sweet life cake for work anniversaries, and promotion tracks for top performers. Our scholarship program provides access to arguably the most respected training certification in the industry. These initiatives have helped us create a positive, supportive, and motivating environment for our employees. A strong company culture not only keeps our team happy and engaged but also ensures that the dogs in our care receive the best possible attention and care.
These changes have not only helped us attract and retain the exact type of employees you expect at Luckydog—educated, passionate, dedicated, and caring—but have also completely transformed the business and the experience for the dogs in our care.
My Management Team
I'd like to give a special shout-out to Stacey and Joci, who have been through it all and played crucial roles in evolving Luckydog into the business we are proud of today. Their teamwork and dedication have been instrumental in fielding feedback and executing ideas to enhance the quality of our team and the services we provide. The current team's excellence is a testament to their continuous efforts to evolve and improve the offerings at Luckydog and I couldn't be more proud.
Community Support
We also want to recognize the local businesses and individuals who have contributed to our achievements: Automatic Heat, GMD Electric, Baxter Plumbing, and Jeff and Gustavo, among others, who are always available at short notice when needed. Their support has been invaluable in helping us maintain and enhance our facilities. Additionally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our gracious clients who let us use their land for off-leash services. Your generosity significantly enhances the experiences we can offer and means the world to us.
Gratitude
Thank you to each and every one of our clients for choosing Luckydog and contributing to our thriving community. Your input matters, and we encourage you to reach out at any time with suggestions or feedback at bark@luckydogcare.com. We truly are a family, and I am thankful for you all.
