We have been bringing our dog, Jake, to Dogwood for daycare and boarding for over a year now, and he absolutly loves it! Kate and Mick are so good to him--and to my husband and me! Recently, we moved to Honolulu, leaving Jake at Dogwood to wait out the quarantine period that Hawaii requires of all animals. He's been there for about six weeks now, and I couldn't be more pleased with the care he's getting. Kate sends pictures regularly, and emails with stories of the fun Jake's having with all his pals. Truly, Kate and Mick treat Jake like he's their own pet, and it's so good to know that he is in excellent hands. So if you want peace of mind while you're travelling--or just a happy place for the little guy to go and hang out with his own kind--choose Dogwood! There's nothing like it anywhere else.

We've been bringing Champ to Dogwood for three months and couldn't be happier! Champ is a profoundly deaf, very high energy aussie puppy who's also afraid of dogs. We were very concerned to find a place where Champ would get loving attention and feel safe and happy. Dogwood is just that place. There's plenty for Champ to do -- a big partially-covered outdoor play area where the dogs romp and play, but plenty of calm indoor space as well, where he can nap, watch tv, and take a break. This is great for Champ who loves to watch other dogs, but needs some downtime on his own.

We found Dogwood when we were in a pinch for a 10-day visit --after two days of day care at Dogwood, we felt very confident leaving Champ with Kate and Mick. Kate checked in with us during the trip to reassure us that Champ was doing well and to put our minds at ease (he is our baby!). Ever since then, Champ has been going to Dogwood a couple times a week for day care, or as we call it, camp. Mick or Kate greets him (and us) by name in the morning and he leaps towards them happily. At the end of the day, he is happy and tired. It's clear to us that Champ is well taken care of and loved at Dogwood!
I should add that the review below makes me think they are speaking about another place... Kate and Mick really make personal connections with your dog. As I said above, taking care of Champ is not so easy - but they happily agreed to speak to Champ with our hand signals, and are very supportive of his progress. We've asked to go to the back to peek at Champ with his 'friends' at play and there has been no problem! It's clean and tidy, the dogs are happy, and there's no overcrowding or filth.

We have been bringing our dog Champ to Dogwood for three months and we couldn't be happier! Champ is a special needs aussie shepherd -- profoundly deaf, and also very high energy, but afraid of dogs. We were very concerned to find a place where Champ would get loving attention and feel safe and happy. Dogwood is just that place. There's plenty for Champ to do -- a big partially-covered outdoor play area where all the dogs romp and play, but plenty of calm indoor space as well, where dogs can nap, watch tv, and take a break. This is great for Champ who loves to watch other dogs, but needs some downtime on his own. At Dogwood you don't hear dogs barking and whining. Inside, it seems like a stress-free place -- dogs are playing and trotting around, not eager to get out like some other places.

After having Champ spend two days of "day care" at Dogwood, we felt very confident leaving Champ for a 10-day visit when we traveled back east. Kate checked in with us during the trip to reassure us that Champ was doing well and to put our minds at ease. Ever since then, Champ has been going to Dogwood a couple times a week. Mick or Kate greets him (and us) by name in the morning and he leaps towards them happily. At the end of the day, he is happy and tired. It's clear to us that Champ is well taken care of and loved at Dogwood!

NB - I was about to post when I read the review below. This person sounds like they are talking about a different place. Kate and Mick are so nice! As I said above, taking care of Champ is not so easy - but Kate and Mick happily agreed to "speak" to Champ with hand signals, and have been very supportive of his progress. I have asked to pop back into the "private" space to take a peak at Champ interacting with other dogs, and Kate and Mick have accommodated -- it was certainly not overcrowded or filthy! Both the indoor space and the outdoor space are clean and tidy.

There are so many warning signs, don't ignore them. First of all they really hate it when you try to peek into their kennel. The guy gets very very angry and cusses at you. They only allow certain days and certain time slots for open house where you can see the actual kennel. Why? Because they're hiding something you don't want to see-- overcrowding, filth, everything. Secondly, I really hated how Kate kept making me guilty that my puppy is too full of ** and needs obedience training. Her obedience training is a rip off and doesn't do jack. Even Petsmart classes are better, and they're not that great in the first place. They're the only place that takes cash or check only, no credit card. Hmm, sounds pretty convenient when Uncle Sam audits, since technically on paper they only have less than 10 dogs instead of 50-80 in reality, eh? This Kate woman is so tired the end of the day she snaps at everyone, even her assistant and her customers. The only reason they have businesses is because there's no competition in the area. Trust me, Dogwood is not really what it looks like. Do your research.

This place used to be good, really really good. A few years ago, it was nice, clean, and Kate was very helpful. It's been around for a few years, but Kate and her companion really needs a vacation. She's gotten so rude to the point that I think she doesn't want to run the daycare anymore. I think she's pretty much lost it. The place is no longer clean, and let me tell ya, the place is so heavily guarded that they freak out whenever I tell them I want to see the backyard. Something fishy's going on, but I think they only clean up the place whenever people have appointments with them. Also I think they really abuse some of the dogs to "train" them because my dog's been having behavioral problems. In addition I think she must have some family problems of her own because she says the most unflattering things, and her companion cusses at me, a long time customer. I can hardly believe it. Maybe she needs a shrink. Maybe that sort of attitude is acceptable where Kate and her companion came from, but it's totally unacceptable here in civilized world.

The place used to be good, but it's gotten downhill, really really downhill. Avoid at all cost.