Happy Dog Resort is one happy place! Thanks to Centennial Bank, I was very much looking forward to taking my dog Zoey there and for a Behind the Scenes look at the newest, brightest building on Cervantes. Not only did Zoey enjoy the dog enrichment activities (see video above), but I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the owner whose personality is just as bright as the building itself.
For Kimber Hadley-Dorsey, creating a safe space where dogs can go and be their happiest self was the driving force behind her new doggie daycare and grooming spa — Happy Dog Resort.
Happy Dog Resort isn’t your average, run of the mill dog daycare and boarding hotel — it is truly a retreat for your four legged friends. Luxury boarding, grooming, and half or full day resort passes are a few of the services offered.
Located conveniently at 1401 W Cervantes Street, the bright blue and yellow building will immediately grab your attention. Tails will be wagging the moment you walk in and spot the doggie bistro filled with dog-friendly snacks.
Kimber, Happy Dog Resort Founder, is an accountant by trade, but her passion is rescuing dogs. Originally from here, she discovered her love for rescuing dogs while living in California.
“In 2004 I started rescuing big dogs in California. I would go to the pound and find a large dog that needed to be saved. I would take them home, rehabilitate them, kennel train them, house train them, socialize them and then I would find them a new home,” Kimber said.
“I’m an accountant by trade, so it was just something I did in my free time with the extra money I could save.”
In 2013 Kimber moved back to Pensacola where she would meet her husband while getting involved with Friends of Escambia County Shelter. She was a foster for transport dogs with them for 5 years.
“My husband owns multiple businesses and when he purchased this building I asked him if he could make it a dog rescue and within eight hours he had come up with this concept,” Kimber said.
The pair had a bad experience boarding their Saint Bernard, Gumbo, so they knew there was a need for it and first and foremost, they wanted to provide a safe space for dogs with the proper safety protocols in place.
“Everything at Happy Dog starts with the safety of our dogs. I want everyone who works here to feel empowered to help our clients and our procedures to be fine tuned. At Happy Dog Resort we go above and beyond. I want to be fabulous!” She said.
“I have relationships with all the local vets and our General Manager is an ex Vet Tech. I just want to make my clients happy, the dogs happy and create a space I can feel comfortable dropping my own dogs off at.”
Zoey had the best morning hanging out with the other resort goers and scoping out the luxury boarding rooms, lick pads, toys and water activities. Every luxury boarding room is complete with a camera so you can check up on your dog and will feature spa music or the sound of the ocean.
The highlight for me was learning about Kimber and her kind heart. She also uses her space to help overcrowded shelters or stray dogs if she has empty boarding rooms. She currently rescued a dog they found wandering Cervantes and has been keeping her safe, dewormed and rehabbed. She is absolutely adorable, friendly and happy — hence her new name Happy! If anyone is looking to adopt — she is perfection!
Congratulations Kimber and thank you for being such a kind person and incredible advocate for all the pooches out there. Zoey and I will back to see all of our new friends soon!
Happy Dog Resort is currently open and taking new clients for doggie daycare, luxury boarding and grooming appointments will be available next week. Appointments can be made on their website. See the space and join them on Saturday, September 9th from 10am-2pm at their official Grand Opening.
