Today we’d like to introduce you to Shyreen Russell.
Shyreen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am that kid who asked, ”Can we keep him?” every time I saw a stray.
My career stemmed from 17 years of cosmetology and 4 years in real estate until the crash in 2008. While I was successful and enjoyed those jobs, there was always something missing. I had been studying dog training under a mentor on the side since 1997. In 2008 I became a Veterinarian Technician and used the opportunity to learn more about her passion. I began training on my own later that year and so was born Dog-On-Fun. It was run out of my home for about 5 years, then in March of 2015 I was approached to purchase an existing boarding facility. My daughter Valerie and I pulled a partnership together and we have been going strong for almost 2 years now.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been awful, but very scary to quit an amazing vet tech job under a great doctor. We had been in escrow 3 other times and things didn’t work out. It was a little discouraging but the wait paid off. I was driving 45 minutes to and from work every day, I had established a solid clientele in the area I was working so that was where we were looking to open a place. Instead, I am now 4 minutes from home and my daughter can come in the mornings to help and be home with her son in the afternoons. We are truly blessed.
Please tell us about Dog on Fun.
We are primarily a dog hotel. We offer grooming and daycare as well. We try not to groom more than 3 per day as it is very stressful on the dog.
We offer dog training as well. It is basic obedience to teach manners and pack roles. It is a beautiful thing when an owner is able to communicate with a dog they have become so frustrated with. I love seeing the relationships change.
Our kennels are much bigger than the average kennels so it allows the pets to be more relaxed.
The main areas we are different is how little stress our place is on the dogs. Most are just as happy to arrive as they are to go home. We do not have dog doors so we have to handle the dogs at least 8 times a day. This allows us to get to know them and the little things they do when they are comfortable. We also take them on a leash beside us on a bike ride. This allows them to run as fast as they want and get that tongue hanging out fun that they enjoy so much.
I am the most proud when a dog comes in wagging their tail and knows to go straight to the back where the fun is.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Riding my horses and playing with my dogs.
Pricing:
- 5×5 small kennel $30 per day
- 5×10 medium kennel $35 per day
- 10×10 large kennel $40 per day
- Fun mile run $10
- Fun Zone fetch and swim $10
Contact Info:
- Address: 642 E. Edna Pl.,
Covina, CA 91723 - Website: dogonfun.net
- Phone: 626-339-1354
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: dogon_fun
- Facebook: Dog on Fun
- Yelp: Dog on Fun
Image Credit:
Mary Ellen Photos
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