Massages, TVs, story time, ice cream: These Kansas City businesses pamper pooches

You need to book a room but there are so many choices. You see the “Standard Package” but then you notice the “Vacation Package,” followed by the “Spa Package.”

Then again, the Presidential Suite has a certain appeal: “Double the space of a luxury suite, four-poster bed, chandelier in addition to all the Luxury suite amenities.” Plus, a premium treat choice served nightly.

There are other exclusive services for the most discerning guests. Hair styling, for instance. A primp and blow. Maybe even a cut and color. Only her groomer knows.

But this isn’t a room menu for the Ritz Carlton. No, the patron is not an A-lister living on Daddy’s trust fund. The room options are for your best friend — your dog. And the lodging with so many options is Woof’s Play and Stay, a Kansas City area boarding kennel for the most discriminating pet owners.

You see, all dogs go to heaven. But some dogs may think they already arrived.

The dog boarding business is booming, and pet owners are willing to spare no expense. Owners can have family photos hung up in the dog’s suite, individual playtime, baby wipes on their paws before going into their room, daily brushings, and nightly ice cream. If your lovable bundle of joy is a senior, massage therapy can be included.

“The pet care boarding/day care industry, from an economic perspective, has been able to withstand economic downturns and COVID,” said Carmen Rustenbeck, CEO of the trade group International Boarding and Pet Service Association, which provides education, legislative assistance and business information for its members and their employees.

During the pandemic, many homebound workers adopted pets.

“When workers returned to work, pets were isolated and needed companionship,” Rustenbeck said. “Who better to take care of your pet than pet care service providers? They have the training, expertise, understanding of infectious disease and the skill sets to teach those new pet owners how to train, live and have fun with those new pets. We’ve become a $9.1 billion industry in the U.S. alone.”

Do dogs really need all that pampering? Well at the very least, it’s good for dogs to hang around dogs.

“For a confident, well-socialized dog, a group play setting is a fantastic way to provide enrichment and exercise. A dog can burn far more energy playing with others than they will by going on a walk or even a jog with their owners,” said Leawood veterinarian Morgan Wilcox.

“The adage, ‘a tired dog is a good dog’ has been around for ages for a reason, and group play is one very effective way to achieve a good, tired dog.”

Here in Kansas City, local entrepreneurs are riding this wave of dog boarding and indulging, and our four legged friends are living the life they richly deserve.

Woof’s Play and Stay

Woof’s was my introduction into this world. With five locations, and one near our Leawood home, we learned of the chance to watch Hadley, our Bernedoodle, play with other dogs all day long with a live webcam, leading to these spousal conversations while on vacation:

“Lori, look at that beautiful mountain range just ahead.”

“I’m sorry, not right now. I’m watching Hadley play with a border collie. Hadley is so darn cute!”

Woof’s opened in Merriam in 2008. Local entrepreneur Andy Wiltz saw something in its model and bought the business in 2015.

“I had worked in the corporate world for over 10 years as a strategy consultant but had gotten sick of working for someone else,” Wiltz said. “So I decided to fulfill my dream and start working for myself. The Merriam location just celebrated our 100 (dog) year anniversary in September. A bad day with dogs is still better than a good day in the corporate world.”

Today, Woof’s has locations throughout the metro and in Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri.

Where and how the dogs sleep is a big part of the indulging appeal. The Kuranda bed has the buzz of a high-tech sleep number bed but is low tech. It’s elevated on springs. Never again will your dog have to sleep on a floor with particles of the shoes they just chewed. High-end options include flat screen TVs with Animal Planet or Disney Channel running.

Woof’s and others offer Kong treats, hard plastic toys with the middle open for something yummy — peanut butter, grain-free treats, dog crack, whatever your pooch craves.

Other options: one-on-one cuddle/story time, fetch, toy time. There are also nail treatments, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, something called gland expression.

“But we see dogs that get their monthly spa treatments,” Wiltz said. “With so many ’doodles, we have a lot of hair to brush out. Some of the special requests include hypo-allergenic shampoo, patterns cut into their hair, painted toenails, bows and matching clothing with the parents.”

Overnight boarding can run from $46-$100 per night. woofsplaystay.com.

Broadmore Pet Retreat

The Broadmore in Shawnee is not exactly like the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. For instance, it does not boast two world-class golf courses, but they both offer high-end spa treatments and unforgettable pampering that goes straight to your room bill.

The Shawnee version includes a Hydro Surge Massage, which promises to massage your dog’s muscles while being groomed. Also on the pampering menu: trimmed nails, cleaned ears, conditioner infused bath, mud bath, blueberry facial. For the most demanding owners, there is a Dremeling option — which leaves the nails round and smooth so to be soft to the touch when their paws tap your arm while you are bingeing Netflix.

Owner Patrick Lais bought the dog kennel and five acres in 2007 and later added another five acres and a 3,000 square foot building. His daughter Kelly handles the daily operations.

With those 10 acres of land, Broadmore boasts something unique – a private wooded adventure trail, a safari rich with smells. It’s called a Sniffari.

“A Sniffari Hike is a scent walk where your dog’s nose takes the lead and sets the pace,” Lais said. “These are outings with a staff member exploring our half-mile private, wooded Adventure Trail. Sniffaris are mentally and physically enriching and stimulating as dogs rely on their sense of smell to piece together the environment around them.”

I hope Hadley never reads this.

Overnight boarding: $44-$48 per night, which includes day care. broadmorepetretreat.com.

Blue Springs Animal Hospital and Pet Resort

The Blue Springs Animal Hospital and Pet Resort is a one-stop shop of medical care and recovery, but also just relaxation. Like a cross between Worlds of Fun and KU Med. With 16 veterinarians on staff, they are ready for anything.

“We truly love the pets and want what’s best for them. The pets are our work family,” said Erin Taylor, pet resort manager. “We have the honor of knowing many of them throughout their entire life — from their first puppy appointment through their last day.”

Blue Springs offers three different accommodations for dogs — bunks, rooms and cabins. “The rooms and cabins have glass doors, so the pets feel more secure. The cabins are our nicest accommodations — they have raised beds, windows and TVs playing dog-related movies in them.”

“We keep a very close eye on the pets in our care — documenting everything from their appetites to their potty habits. Medical needs don’t wait until owners pick up, so we try our best to catch things early. If an emergency happens or something just seems off, we have vets on staff so our boarders can get the care they need even if it’s a weekend or a holiday.”

Boarding fees run from $38-$63 per night. bluespringsanimalhospital.com

There is a test before admission

Before you speed dial a reservation for your adorable fur baby, you need to tighten that leash a tad.

You see, this new-age boarding model is not for every dog. Just those that play well, respect anatomical boundaries and understand that not every tennis ball is theirs. So, for any first-timers, there is an aptitude test. Officially, it’s called a “meet and greet.” You may think your dog is Lassie, but if the open house shows he is more like Cujo, please consider home schooling.

Look, it shouldn’t surprise you that these kennels have wait lists. And when the admission committee has to vote on whether to admit your ball-of-fur, like most kennels, your dog will need papers and vaccines.

At some places, like Woof’s, your lovable lap dog may get a grade card, if you are interested in their conduct. But, in return, your dog will learn, have recess and live its best life. And when she’s picked up, she will be dog-tired.

Pampering at home

Back home, your lovable ball-of-fur can subscribe to Bark Box, which sends a monthly box of two toys, two bags of treats and one chew. Whoever invented this concept deserves the Nobel Prize. Our Hadley is still dragging around the toys from her November box, which included a Yappy Meal that squeaks when chewed. Each box costs $23 per month. Hadley now knows it comes from the guy in that white truck who makes daily visits. The mailman is now her friend. Pure genius.

The Bar K dog park, 501 Berkley Parkway, has events, like Puppies Night Out, where you can mix and mingle with other owners while sipping your IPA. If you have a Lab, you can join the Labrador retriever meet-up at Bar K. They do them for huskies and German shepherds, too. Or take her on a Bar K scavenger hunt near Westport.

Next year, go to a Kansas City Royals game for one of the Bark at the Park nights. One day your dog might throw out the first pitch.

Look, if all of this sounds a bit excessive, someday you might have a change of heart. I might predict that day will arrive when the kids have long departed, the house grows quiet, and the obituary page is your “must read” section of the paper. When that day comes, priorities change. I can’t really explain it, but I’m there. And you will be too.

I could go on for longer, but Hadley’s paw is tapping my knee.

You can reach freelance writer Matt Keenan at mattkeenan51@gmail.com.