Dog resort offers wide array of amenities
BY MICHELLE L. START Florida Weekly Correspondent
Surrounded by horses, goats, cows, sheep and a variety of other farm animals while growing up, Gayle Gosnell was destined to work with animals.

COURTESY PHOTO The Dog Resort on Metro Parkway opened this past August

"I worked with vets and kennels and groomers," said Gosnell who opened up The Dog Resort on Metro Parkway this past August. "Nobody is in any of those places at night. They don't walk the dogs outside. It's a stressful environment. They won't eat. They bark a lot."

The more she saw, the less Gosnell liked sending her own dogs to those places and in 1984 she opened Animal Sitters, a service that provided in-home care for pets.

In early August, she sold off the last part of the previous business and opened up her full-service canine day care and boarding service. Since the store opened on Aug. 11, Gosnell has spent every night in a small twin-sized bed located next to the play area.

Already she has 55 regular clients, many like Rebecca Loiacano who are previous clients of Gosnell's Animal Sitters.

"We just started them here a few weeks ago," Loiacano said of her two rescue greyhounds, Dutch and Earl.

COURTESY PHOTO While at The Dog Resort, canines spend the day playing ball, roaming an open area, going outside on leash walks, and having fun.

"They have been here three times. It's usually just for overnight. I try not to leave them, but sometimes I have to."

The dogs raced at the track in Bonita Springs during their younger years, Loiacano said.

While at The Dog Resort, canines spend the day playing ball, roaming an open area, going outside with leash walks, eating and taking their medications. At the owners' request, the dogs can also be washed in a full-sized tub right outside the play area.

Frequently teenagers volunteer at the shop. On a recent afternoon 15-year-old Dwayne Day, the son of the plaza's landlord, cuddled with one small dog before hopping in the play area with larger dogs and tossing around tennis balls.

As he tossed what workers call the "slobber ball," Scout grabbed it up, leaping over Day as he lay down to avoid the dog. Gosnell's Australian Shepard, Harley, trotted over to Day, trying to get in on the action.

PHOTO MICHELLE START Owner Gayle Gosnell tallies charges for two greyhounds that boarded with her this week.

"Harley loves me best," Day said. "Harley is my buddy."

"You touch the slobber ball. That's why they like you," employee Sandy Hinderliter said.

Volunteer Michelle Ravish, 16, held a small dog named Tulip while watching the games being played in the larger dog area. Before a dog is accepted at The Dog Resort, it must go through a five hour interview.

"Some people don't know how their dogs will do," Gosnell said. "Some have never socialized before. Sometimes they are very, very shy and we don't know if they will be comfortable here. They're not aggressive dogs but at times they do get kind of snippy because the space isn't enough or there are too many other dogs sniffing their butts or whatever."

Although The Dog Resort is housed in a 3,000-square-foot area, some of the larger dogs feel crowded, she said.

"The larger dogs have the potential to become more dangerous," Gosnell said. "Dogs need a lot of space. For the smaller dogs, this is a lot of space."

Clients using the services range from those who work full-time and do not want to leave their pet alone to seniors who travel a lot. Gosnell charges $29.95 a day for day care and $49.95 a day for boarding. She offers long-term discounts as well as multiple dog discounts.

At The Dog Resort, canines can also enjoy a hydro jet spa treatment or grooming while their owners shop in the retail section.

"We have a trainer. She has been training for 12 years," said Gosnell. "She is starting a five-week class on Oct. 2 and it is semi-private with just two to three dogs to a class."

Gosnell said she is planning to bring in a pet photographer, monthly seminars and fundraisers to assist with adoptions.

If you go

>>The Dog Resort
12195-1 Metro Parkway
Fort Myers, Florida 33966
(239) 768-9800
thedogresort.com