Luckey had a rough start.  She was abandoned at the Ionia County Animal Shelter with her mom and sister. The manager's best guess at her age was about 5 months old.

I saw her the day after she arrived, but she had to be quarantined for 1 week (standard procedure for dogs dropped off at the shelter) before I could pick her up. Due to budget cuts and limited staff there, no one was able to go to the shelter for 3 days. When I arrived after
the quarantine period, Luckey and her sister were covered in feces, so I helped the volunteers give her a bath, she hated every second of it. After she was washed and huddled in a towel, the two of us sat in a chair in the managers office waiting for the paper work to be completed. We were inseparable from that point on.

I got Luckey the summer before I started college, she bounced between my parent’s house and my boyfriend’s house and it took a toll on her. To add to her separation anxiety, I moved into my Aunt's house in Lansing my last year of college. When I arrived back at the house after my first class I was horrified to find she had chewed holes through my aunt's venetian blinds to see outside and watch for me to get home (that was an expensive lesson to learn!). She had worked herself up so much trying to see through the blinds she had cut her legs from the broken wood.

I needed a solution, so I went online searching for something that would help me, and I stumbled across doggy daycare. It was the best concept I had ever heard of!

When I toured Doggy Daycare and Spa, Janice took my sister and I through the facility and it was EXACTLY what I needed!! A huge gym to run in, countless dogs to play with all day, a gigantic backyard equipped with kiddy pools, lawn furniture, and toys galore! And I was so impressed that in order for a dog to be accepted into the daycare they must pass their interview and be current on all required veterinary care. It was such a relief to be confident that Luckey would never be in harm’s way, and get to experience the joy of being a dog 100%.

Although it's been a struggle at times to pay for her daycare, it has been SO worth it. It allowed Luckey to relax when we got home, and she was still so exhausted the next day she would spend most of her day resting and it allowed her to realize that it's ok to be left alone for a few hours at a time; and be reassured that I will always come back for her. Doggy Daycare has exceeded every expectation I had and I love advertising to all of my friends, family, and colleagues about it.

I can't thank you enough for having such an incredible place, you will truly never know how much it's meant to Luckey and I. She's been loving every minute for 3 years now, and I see her enjoying many more in the future!

Luckey’s Mom, Stacey

Hi.  My name is Pippin.  I am about 18 months old and 12 pounds of so much
energy I can wear out Judy's 5-year-old niece. Now, that IS a cool accomplishment!

I think that's why I go to Doggy Day Care and Spa.  "We gotta get some of the energy off you."

When I was less than a year old, Judy (my "Mom") decided to check out the Doggy Day Care and Spa.  She liked it right away.  It took me a little longer.  I am just a bit shy and have to assess the situation before I make such an important decision.  Now I LOVE IT!

In the mornings to help me get excited about going there, Judy talks about all my friends by name.  She hasn't figured out that I don't know my friends by name, but I do know them by their smell and sometimes by what they look like.  Names?  Not so much.

I play with my 4-footed friends a couple of times a week, sometimes rough and tumble, and sometimes just being together is the best of all.  I love growing up with the help of my friends at Doggy Day Care, it helps me to be a better friend to Judy too.

When I come home tired, Judy is extra, extra nice to me.  Now that it is cold, she lets me lay on her warm bed to get a rest after such a busy day playing.  Also, I might have earned that privilege because I have learned to NOT scratch at her bedding.

Judy and I learned about a very cool dog obedience training program at Doggy Day Care.  So we both went for training.  At first it was so much work I would go home just exhausted.  Judy went home happy because I was learning to obey.  We even had some agility training, not for Judy, but for me.  The BEST thing about going for the 6- weeks of training was how many times I heard "Good Pippin".  That just warms my little heart.  Also, Judy's friends let me visit because I am much better behaved than I was when I was a just puppy.

I have a favorite trick that I do at Doggy Day Care almost every day.  I get cold quickly, so I have to wear a sweater.  All by myself, I have learne how to get it OFF without any help.  Then the big people have to make sure it doesn't become involved in a tug-of-war between some other students at Doggy Day Care.

Judy loves me a lot.  I know that because she lets me come to Doggy Day Care two days a week.  It sure beats being in a BORING crate by myself all day while she works at her job.  She reminds me sometimes that she works to keep me happy with a roof over my head, yummy food, and a warm place to live. That's a good feeling.  I also know that she likes having two nights a week at home when I am not always bugging her to play.  Now if she would just let ME be the boss around the house . . .

Pippin Scribner

Angel is an 8-month-old Labrador Retriever who joined our family in July of 2010. We lost my father late in 2009, followed 6 months later by the loss of Gabby, our  12-year-old yellow Lab. Needless to say, our hearts were heavy; Angel helped us to smile, laugh, and brought joy back to our hearts.  I wanted to give back to Angel,do something for her--something special for the joy she has given us other than her
every-day life at home.

I found an advertisement for Doggy Daycare at my vet’s office, checked it out and I LOVE IT ! Angel LOVES IT! She gets a day away from her family, runs, plays, learns, and socializes with other dogs of all breeds. This place is incredible! I had checked out many other places, but they didn't provide us with the security we needed for leaving our four-legged fur child. There are other places where your dog is placed in a kennel all day, with maybe 2-3 trips outside.  At Doggy Daycare there is a big, open room where they all play together. It's so great to see the dogs learning how to socialize, which by the way makes them a happier dog; to see 30-60 dogs all running and playing together is quite a site! A must-see for animal lovers!

The facility is always clean, offers grooming and boarding and, most importantly, has the best staff one could ask for!  Your dog is lovingly introduced into their furry social setting, to ensure that he/she fits in with the doggy group and that all get along together.  Your pet receives gifts for birthdays and holidays. A cute but caring twist is a report card you receive for their activities
during the day. Honestly, it is just like daycare for your child, but this one is for your pet.

My vet also takes her dogs here. For me, that was enough said!

I cannot say enough good things about Doggy Daycare, except it's been a godsend. I highly recommend it! Kudos to the owner, Janice, for such a wonderful place!  Thank you, Doggy Daycare, for helping Angel enjoy life a little bit more. Thank you all for loving the dogs you care for.

Sincerely,

Dan, Shannon and Angel Mittag

I LOVE Doggy Daycare and Spa for many reasons.  I couldn't wait till my puppy turned 5 months old so I could take her there.  It helped her become socialized, gives her the exercise she needs and the break I need.  I also love the staff at Doggy Daycare they are all very friendly and make it a point to know you and your dog.  Furthermore, I am impressed with the fact that the owner Janice is there on a regular basis when I drop off my dog for daycare or call to make an appointment--I like the fact that she is involved hands on with the operation of her business.  I recommend Doggy Daycare and Spa to ANYONE with a dog whether you want your dog to become more friendly towards other dogs, you think your dog needs more exercise, you feel bad leaving your dog at home during work or you just need a break for yourself!!! Other pet daycares that friends and family go seem to put the dogs in a crate most of the day but not here--your dog will get all the exercise he/she needs and have a fantastic time!!!

Emily and Roxy Klingler

My name is Linda and Ellie Mae is my little girl of 4 ½ years.  She looks forward to every other Wednesday.  Doggy Daycare is a place I take her and know that she is safe, well cared for, and she is with her non-human friends as well as trained human friends to keep her happy and nurtured.  When she is at school, as we call it, I can get errands run, clean the house, and other things that she would normally like to do with her mommy.  I can get these chores done and know that she is having fun.  She also is getting lots of social skills and the obedience reinforcement she needs.  Ellie May now greets each guest with a sit instead of a jump.  As an only dog, she remains very active and gets the necessary exercise of because of Doggy Daycare.
Ellie is a well behaved dog and kudos to Doggy Daycare and Spa where she enjoys an oatmeal bath, blow dry and a nail trim.  She is treated like a queen for the day and comes out fluffy and sporting a new bandana. 

Ellie Schaible

My "son" Zeus loves Doggy Daycare and Spa and so do I! My dog has too much energy to be trusted alone all day long while we work. On his Daycare Day, I know he's burning off all of his destructive energy and he's tired for 2 days afterward. It's a miracle! I know he's safe and getting the socialization he needs. I feel like a good "mom" when he can stay so active even in the winter months. This pound puppy means everything to us so I return the favor and treat him to Daycare.

Angie Calogerakis

We were at our wit's end with our Doberman Snoop. My husband and I were both
working full time and Snoop was home by himself every day. On top of that, it was January and he was cooped up inside even when we were home. Needless to say, his energy levels were high and he started to display some naughty behavior we had never seen before. When I found Doggy Daycare and Spa's website, I was very excited. It looked like the perfect place for Snoop to burn off energy and meet new friends. And in indeed it did turn out to be the perfect place for Snoop!! He is much happier in his day to day life, but Doggy Daycare Day is his favorite day of the week. I have also used their
boarding services; I can relax while away from home knowing my dog is in good hands. I am very thankful for Doggy Daycare and I know Snoop is too!

Amy Stottlemyer

We love Doggy Daycare and Spa!   

Our Golden Retriever, Bear, gets the very best of both worlds at daycare.   It's like taking your child to their best friend’s house to play all day long and to school where they learn and get reinforced for their good behavior. 

Bear knows the days he goes to Doggy Daycare and Spa and is usually at the door to leave before us.  In the 7 and ½ years Bear has been attending twice a week, he is always excited to see the Doggy Daycare staff and his furry friends.  We think he even enjoys his bi-weekly spa treatments.

Bill, Chris, Jon and Bear Collette

Doggy Daycare and Spa is the best! Nessy gets so excited when she wakes up and we tell her it’s “Doggy Daycare Day”! We drop off an energized, ready-to-go puppy in the morning, and pick up a very happy and tired dog after work. The staff at Doggy Daycare and Spa treat Nessy like she’s one in a million! We couldn’t ask for a better group of people to watch over our best friend! Thank you so much!

Angela & Shane Brennan

The staff and facilities at Doggy Daycare and Spa are awesome!  Our dog loves being there and running around with his friends.  What we like most is the ability to board him when we are out of town.  We like knowing that he's not in a crate all day other than a couple brief walks like you'd get at other boarding facilities.  He's comfortable being there, and gets to play during the days, which has really helped lower his stress levels while we're away.  His weekly visit also really tires him out, decreasing our need to take him on quite as many long walks in the winter time.

Brian, Katie, and Buckley Moore

Champ’s favorite days of the week are Tuesday and Thursday.  You ask why?  Because those are the two days a week he goes to Doggy Daycare!  Champ is excited every time he goes to Doggy Daycare because he will get to hang out with his buds and get all the personal attention and love from his caregivers.
The only days Champ likes better than a regular Tuesday or Thursday is when he gets to visit the Spa.  When we pick him up, he is the proudest boy in town.
Champ loves Doggy Daycare and Spa and your dog will too!

John and Ceci Anderson

Our first dog, Kayla, has been attending doggy day care for about six years.  With no one home during the day we were delighted to find a place for her to play and receive attention.  A former employee of Doggy Day Care, Lindsay, was adopted by Kayla and became her big buddy.  Our second dog,
Gomez, has been attending for about two and a half years.  Gomez is extremely sociable, believing he is the shiny new best friend of every dog he meets.  Gomez also has more energy than any dog may reasonably require and a day at day care is wonderful...for him and us, especially in winter
when walks and romps at the park are limited.  Several benefits of attending day care are the grooming services offered (one-stop shopping for me), and the advice I have received from Janice on anything from selecting food and treats to training to general dog maintenance.  The staff is invariably friendly and courteous.  Doggy Day Care may not suit everyone, but it has worked extremely well for us.

Kayla & Gomez, & their obedient servants Greg and Katy K.

Twelve years ago we heard about a place called Doggy Daycare and Spa where all the “Hip Hounds of Lansing” hang out.  At the time, we were the proud owners of a new black lab mix puppy named Carman.  Carman was our first dog as a newly married couple and after visiting the DDCS facility, we knew that Carman would love to play with the other dogs and would be treated like a family member by the employees at DDCS.   We began to take her there frequently for daycare and would use DDCS for boarding while we went on our own adventures.   Each time we would arrive to pick up Carman, she would happily greet us with a wagging tail and panting tongue from playing with all of her friends at DDCS.   Carman died in July 2010, and we are forever grateful for the care that was given to her over her lifetime by the staff of Doggy Daycare and Spa.

Oscar, our 7-year old black lab mix, and Matilda, our new 8-month old black lab, still go to DDCS on a regular basis.  They enjoy each visit and begin wagging their tails and whining when we turn on to Mt. Hope Highway.  We love the quiet days after they have been to DDCS…Oscar usually snores after an extended stayJ! We can’t say enough about the courteous and professional staff at DDCS.  Janice and her employees take care of our dogs like they are their own.  Thanks again!

The Berryhill’s

One of the amazing things about Doggy Daycare and Spa - other than their outstanding staff - is the way large and small dogs interact with each other in such a positive way. Our own dog, Mickey, looks forward to his "daycare days"! Janice and her staff provide a happy and healthy environment for grooming and boarding, we don't worry any more while we are away knowing that Mickey is not only safe, but is having a blast playing. Thank you Doggy Daycare and Spa!

Barb Poma
Delta Township Trustee

Winston and Abby love Doggy Day Care and Spa! They wait by the door every Wednesday morning ready to go play and are tired, but happy, when I pick them up in the evening. They have always been well cared for and, as a result, they actually like to be boarded too. I never worry (or feel guilty) when they are at day care. It's nice to know I am leaving them with Janice and a staff that cares for them as much as I do.

Nancy McKeague

Sheba has been going to Doggy Daycare and Spa for 5 1/2 years. She is just as excited today as she was the first week. Going to daycare weekly has taught her to play/socialize with all types of dogs. She knows and loves all the staff. When I board her she isn't stressed or nervous, she plays with her friends, gets lots of exercise and as a result eats and sleeps well. I can relax when I'm out of town knowing she is taken care of and happy. I also love it when Sheba comes home after being groomed at Doggy Daycare and Spa. She's beautiful and I don't have to experience the "Siberian Fur Blizzard"!!

Mary Jo Miller

Our sweet 5-yr. old Golden Retriever, Jake, has been a regular at Doggy Daycare since he became part of our family at 7 months old. We couldn't be more pleased to be a part of the Doggy Daycare family and are thankful to have such a great place available to us. I tell him the night before that tomorrow is his "fun day to play with his friends". His tail wags and his ears perk up, but he knows he needs to
wait until morning for the full level of excitement. And excited he is! He greets us at 6:45 a.m. by running in circles, jumping up for kisses, and pretty much going bananas. He comes home at the end of the day happy, content and tired. One of the best aspects of Jake being a regular daycare dog is that he is equally excited to stay there for longer periods, when we leave him for vacations. It is peace of mind for us to know that he is in a safe, fun and familiar environment while we are gone. Jake also gets regular baths and his full grooming services through Doggy Daycare, and they do a great job. The entire staff is wonderful. We would highly recommend Doggy Daycare & Spa.

Waddell Family, Delta Township

My dogs love their Doggy Daycare! My husband and I work full-time so our two dogs spend a lot of time on their own at home while we are at work. When I discovered Doggy Daycare several years ago I knew it was exactly what my dogs needed. The exercise and mental stimulation they get at daycare are priceless. When they come home they are completely exhausted and, I believe, fulfilled. As a veterinarian I know how important it is to keep our pets active. I highly recommend Doggy Daycare to anyone who is looking to enhance their dog's health and happiness.

Thank you,

Loving caregiver to Maya and Hank

My high-energy Pug, Daphne, loves to play with other dogs and is always excited when I tell her “its Doggy Daycare day!” The Doggy Daycare and Spa is a great place for her to run, play, and expend some energy while my husband and I are at work. The staff is friendly, professional, and understands how important Daphne is to our family. I feel very comfortable leaving her in their care.

Donna, Daphne's mom

When my dog, Sassie, and I moved to the Lansing area four years ago, Sassie was having a hard time adjusting to her new environment and being alone all day, everyday. She would sleep during the day and keep me up at night. So I decided to give Doggy Daycare a try, and she's been attending daycare ever since. I love that Sassie is able to run around and play all day with other dogs. Even after four years, she still gets so excited when we pull into the parking lot. She just can't wait to play with her "friends." And she is always good and tired when I pick her up.

I also can't say enough good things about the level of care at Doggy Daycare & Spa. Janice and her staff are AMAZING! Sassie has had several health issues over the last four years, including losing an eye to glaucoma. And she requires eye drops every eight hours in her remaining eye. I was concerned that taking care of Sassie would be too much work for Janice and her staff, and that Sassie would not be able
to continue attending daycare. But Janice and her staff have worked with me every step of the way. They administer Sassie's drops, and they keep a special eye on her for me. They take such good care of her. I couldn't ask for more.

Thank you Doggy Daycare & Spa!

Kristin M. Heyse

Penny, our Brittany, has been attending Doggy Day Care for 7 years – since she was a 6-month old puppy. She looks forward to being there two days a week, and we look forward to it as well because we know she is happy, entertained, and getting some exercise on those days!
The Day Care folks have been wonderful with Penny. A year or so ago, she had a problem with her neck so that the vet advised us not to let her jump (hard with a Brittany) and to use a harness, not a collar. They are so gentle with her, seem to love her as much as we do (though I know that’s not possible) and worked with us to accommodate her “restrictions,” so that we haven’t had any flare ups since then. We rely on them to keep Penny overnight whenever we’re out of town, knowing she is well taken care of.
I recommend Doggy Day Care and Spa whenever someone tells me about their new, rambunctious dog, because I know a day for the pup at “school” will be a day the whole family will appreciate!

Kathy Dickenson
Lansing, MI

Hi. My name is Kylie and I LOVE it when my mom lets me come to daycare. Every morning I am sad when I watch her get ready to go to work and I know she feels sad, too. BUT, sometimes she looks at me and says that I get to go in the car and play with the puppies. When she says that, I get SO excited I can’t stand still. That means that I am going to daycare!

I hop in the back seat of the car and I get more excited with every turn she makes, knowing where we are headed. By the time we pull into the driveway, I can’t keep myself from whining in anticipation and going back and forth in the car. As soon as she opens the car door, I jump out and run up to the door, usually before she can get grab my leash.

Inside, someone nice always greets me and takes me to the back where the fun really begins. I get to play, run, jump, and roll around with lots of playmates all day long. In the summer, we get to go outside and play in the water. And if I ever get lonely or scared, there is always someone around who will pet me and make me feel better.

I have so much fun there that I barely notice that mom isn’t around. After I have played all day and worn myself out, I hear them call my name and then they put on my leash and take me to the front. Then I get excited all over again, because I get a treat and there is my mom, waiting to take me home with her.

The ride home is much quieter than the ride there – sometimes I even fall asleep. When we get home, I say hi to my cat buddies, Rufus and Smitty, and then curl up in my bed or on the couch with my head in mom’s lap, and dream about all the fun I had and the next time I get to go to daycare.

I am one of the lucky “Hip Hounds of Lansing” who hangs out every Thursday with all my friends at “Doggy Daycare and Spa”. I live in a condo without a yard and even though my mom walks me three times a day, Doggy Day Care is great for me. I get to run around all day long and in the summer time my favorite thing to do is hang out in the pool! But what makes it really special is the staff! They are great and all know me by name. They play with me all day and treat me like I belong to them. Besides Grandma’s House… Doggy Day Care and Spa is my favorite place to go and just be a dog!

Cosmo
The Tail Waggin Hip Havanese

The first time I brought my Newfoundland named Belle to Doggy Daycare it reminded me of the animal called Pushme/pullyu in Dr. Doolittle. I pulled her toward the door and Janice pushed from behind and we finally got her inside. She was very shy the first day and I wondered if she would enjoy another visit. On the second visit she was still reluctant to go in the door, but it was less of a struggle.

That has changed dramatically! Now she perks up as soon as we turn in the parking lot and starts whining. When I open the rear car door she pushes it open and pulls me toward the entrance and paws the door to get in. She loves playing with the other dogs and has made a number of friends. When we leave she is asleep before I have driven half a mile down the road and sleeps soundly that night from her play session. She looks forward very much to her time at Doggy Daycare and it is one of the highlights of her week.

Jim Sanders

Hazel, my nine-year old beagle, has been attending DDC&S for close to
six years. When I first got her from the rescue, she was very timid and frightened of her own shadow. Her experience at Doggy Day Care has
given her a lot of confidence and ability to interact with a lot of
different dogs. If you met her now, you'd never recognize her from her
previous self.

I especially like that fact that the staff is very engaged with each
dog. I know that they look out for each dog and it's needs. Early on,
Hazel attended on Wednesdays. Janice took the initiative to call me to
discuss moving her to a different day where the pack was smaller and
less intimidating for her. It worked like a charm and I could tell
after the first day that it was a great move for her. I tell that story to anyone who will listen! I feel very safe in leaving her at Day Care and really enjoy how tired out she is when I pick her up!

Thanks!
Marsha Fenton

I knew I was going to take my new dog to Doggy Daycare even before I had my new dog! One of my co-workers takes her dog to Doggy Daycare and couldn't say enough good things about it. I decided that even though I live in a condo, if one day a week my new pup could socialize with other dogs and run freely in addition to many walks and runs on other days, maybe not having a yard wouldn't be a big deal. In addition, I remembered how much my previous dog dreaded going to the kennel - I really didn't want to have to pick up and carry another 70 pound Labrador to stay overnight someplace they'd rather not be; I wanted a place where I knew my dog was getting treated as well as he did at home!

I found the dog for me - Bud is a half Labrador, half Keeshond (though you'd never guess that half) and was in a foster home with 25 other dogs. As soon as he was old enough I brought him to Doggy Daycare. He was so scared at first, but then so excited when he met the other dogs! He just loves going to Doggy Daycare - he knows when it is Friday, the day we usually go, and excitedly waits in his crate until he hears me pick up my work bag - that's when he runs and sits by the door, ready to leave and doing the full-body-wag. All I have to say is "Doggy Daycare" and his tail starts wagging and he tilts his head. He loves playing with other dogs, but he's also quite the ladies' man - I know there's quite a few humans that he tries to impress at Doggy Daycare, too. I love that he gets to blow off steam and be a dog in a pack each week, and I also love that I know that he gets plenty of love from the people at Doggy Daycare too. I take Bud to many places and always get compliments on his behavior - he'd just have too much Labrador energy to have good manners if he didn't go to Doggy Daycare each week. Mom and Dad can go out on Friday nights too - Bud is even too tired to chase the cat off his bed when he gets home!

Ann Johnson, Bud's mom