I took my dog Gracie here for the first time. She has always boarded elsewhere and was comfortable there for 8 years. I was very anxious to take her somewhere new where they did not know her & she didn't know them. She has some little obstacles like all dogs do, and I left them lots of notes to help them. I did a trial run before her almost 2 week stay. I called to check her on every few days. I was always greeted with a friendly voice on the other reassuring me she was doing great! Playing in yard with the other dogs, eating, letting me know she was being her vocal self ( which let me know they were actually spending time with her and getting to know her personality a bit) This calmed my anxiety while away knowing she was being taken care of well and didn't have to worry. The important part was when I got home. Normally, when I brought her home from the place she went before she would act strange for a few days flinching when I raised my hand, distant, and kind of mad at me for leaving her. This was not the case this time. She was the same Gracie as if I dropped her off at daycare for the day and just picked her up, happy, playful, excited to see me but tired..lol.
I scheduled a bath but was too excited to see her and picked her up early before she got one. I did notice and it could have a lot to do with how clean the boarding kennels are. she doesn't smell at all. That normal kennel ( water buffalo smell ) she DOESN'T have it!! I am very pleased with the way they took care of her while we were away and I know found my new place for Gracie !!