Farm Wife Starts

2012 - Volume #36, Issue #2, Page #09

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Farm Wife Starts "Dog Hotel"

Tails are wagging at a new pet boarding facility on the Iowa century farm of Michelle and Allen Erickson. “It’s been a dream for me and I feel very fortunate to have made it happen,” says Michelle, who opened 4-Paws Inn last September after 5 years of planning.
  “Pets are family” is the slogan of Michelle’s business, and it shows in every aspect of the facility. The 7,000 sq. ft. building has 12 luxury suites, 16 bungalows and covered patio play areas. Amenities include tile floors with in-floor heating, sliding glass doors and individual beds or cots for the dogs. Some suites even have flat screen televisions so the animals feel right at home with their favorite program. Boarding rates are $20/night and include air conditioning in the summer and an outdoor patio.
  “Meeting the right people at the right time is what made the 4-Paws business possible,” Michelle says. “I did extensive research outside of Iowa and spoke with other retreat owners, and then hired an architect from Houston, Texas, to design the facility.”
  Her husband Allen is supportive of the venture, though he’s busy operating their corn and soybean farm. Michelle is available for the animals 7 days a week and usually starts her daily routine before 8 a.m. to accommodate feeding, exercise and cleaning. The Inn boards dogs and cats that stay overnight or up to 30 days.
  “I want people to feel comfortable when they leave their pets here and know they’ll be safe and happy and well cared for,” says Michelle. “The Inn has a security system, an indoor training room and a state of the art grooming room. Guests can personally drop their pets off in the private suites, which Michelle says helps them quickly get accustomed to their temporary surroundings.
  4-Paws Inn employs a groomer and caregiver and another part time groomer. The dogs get plenty of exercise with an on-site training facility and a spacious outdoor area. “It’s important for us to accommodate all types of dogs,” says Michelle. She has boarded police dogs in training and many older dogs, which seem to love the heated tile floors.
  Although 4-Paws Inn just started in late 2011, Michelle has been pleased with business so far and is confident that it’ll grow and prosper in the years ahead. “Being able to enjoy work is important,” she says. “My grandfather always said ‘do what you love and the rest will fall in place’. Animals are my passion, so that’s why I’m doing this.”
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Michelle Erickson, 4-Paws Inn, 1911 Quebec Ave., Hardy, Iowa 50545 (ph 515332-5585; 4pawsinnllc@gmail.com; www.4-pawsinn.com).

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Farm Wife Starts Dog Hotel LIVESTOCK DOGS Tails are wagging at a new pet boarding facility on the Iowa century farm of Michelle and Allen Erickson “It’s been a dream for me and I feel very fortunate to have made it happen ” says Michelle who opened 4-Paws Inn last September after 5 years of planning “Pets are family” is the slogan of Michelle’s business and it shows in every aspect of the facility The 7 000 sq ft building has 12 luxury suites 16 bungalows and covered patio play areas Amenities include tile floors with in-floor heating sliding glass doors and individual beds or cots for the dogs Some suites even have flat screen televisions so the animals feel right at home with their favorite program Boarding rates are $20/night and include air conditioning in the summer and an outdoor patio “Meeting the right people at the right time is what made the 4-Paws business possible ” Michelle says “I did extensive research outside of Iowa and spoke with other retreat owners and then hired an architect from Houston Texas to design the facility ” Her husband Allen is supportive of the venture though he’s busy operating their corn and soybean farm Michelle is available for the animals 7 days a week and usually starts her daily routine before 8 a m to accommodate feeding exercise and cleaning The Inn boards dogs and cats that stay overnight or up to 30 days “I want people to feel comfortable when they leave their pets here and know they’ll be safe and happy and well cared for ” says Michelle “The Inn has a security system an indoor training room and a state of the art grooming room Guests can personally drop their pets off in the private suites which Michelle says helps them quickly get accustomed to their temporary surroundings 4-Paws Inn employs a groomer and caregiver and another part time groomer The dogs get plenty of exercise with an on-site training facility and a spacious outdoor area “It’s important for us to accommodate all types of dogs ” says Michelle She has boarded police dogs in training and many older dogs which seem to love the heated tile floors Although 4-Paws Inn just started in late 2011 Michelle has been pleased with business so far and is confident that it’ll grow and prosper in the years ahead “Being able to enjoy work is important ” she says “My grandfather always said ‘do what you love and the rest will fall in place’ Animals are my passion so that’s why I’m doing this ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Michelle Erickson 4-Paws Inn 1911 Quebec Ave Hardy Iowa 50545 ph 515332-5585; 4pawsinnllc@gmail com; www 4-pawsinn com

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