Dog Love is a unique service for dogs in the New Paltz, NY area. Boarding takes place in four 5x10 matted kennels in an insulated kennel room with above radiant heat and industrial fans in summer, windows in every kennel overlooking the pond, field and riding ring with classical music playing all the time. The dogs are given a major activity in the morning: usually a playgroup, supervised by my husband and I, with other well socialized dogs, or a long walk if they prefer. After their activity all dogs are walked every couple of hours around our property. Healthy treats are given every time they return to their kennels. In addition, I cook for them. Cooked chop meat with low allergen dog food comprise their meals. All my dogs are happy and content.

The play area is a 40' x 40' chain link enclosure 6.5' high with 4' of privacy screening. The privacy screening ensures that the dogs will focus on each other instead of the scene external to the area: nothing like a passing deer or rabbit to encourage the dogs to line up and bark. The floor of the enclosure is made up of landscape material with rounded small stones on top of it. The stones give the dogs good footing to run on and makes for ease in keeping the area clean and sanitary. In the summer the area is covered with a shade cloth. A large wading pool is placed at one end for cooling comfort and fun. Also in the play area are balls, retriever toys and rubber pulls used to stimulate activity. No ropes or edible toys are present.

After years of running playgroups we are skilled at introducing new dogs. Pictures of the happy members of Dog Love's programs are displayed in the Photo Gallery.

During playgroups, Peter or Emily Sheehan are in the enclosure with the dogs at all times. We are the key directors of the group. All group engagements are under our supervision. The dogs become attached to us and give us ultimate control. Therefore, we make sure that all dogs get along together and interact in a style that suits them.

Dogs are social animals. One of the drawbacks of living in the country is that our dogs get infrequent or no opportunites to mingle with other dogs off-leash. An article in Dog Watch, The Newsletter of Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, highlights the need for dogs to interact with other dogs for overall health and well-being. These playgroups provide a means to stimulate our dogs and allow them to socialize, off leash, while being monitored. Even dogs that have not been well socialized can learn to benefit from being with other dogs.

The daily playgroups include pick up and drop off within a five mile radius in a comfortable Honda Element. Pick-up and drop-off is also available for boarded dogs at an additional charge.

The goal of Dog Love is to provide each dog with the love, environment, understanding, exercise and food for health and contentment.