Dog Boarding Gowen

“Sabrina provided a safe and loving environment for our fur baby. She communicated with us several times a day and sent pics and videos so we could see how well Sydney was doing. We will definitely plan to board our pup with her again!”

Sue N.

“Emily and her family were amazing! I couldn't have asked for a better sitter for our babies! She sent updates everyday with pictures and helped our anxious pups feel like they were a part of their family. Thank you so much for all you do and did for us! ❤️”

Jennifer N.

“Matt was great to work with & took amazing care of our golden doodle. He has separation anxiety & seizures that are typically controlled with medication but in stressful situations he still will have them occasionally. He was obviously very comfortable at Matt’s & had zero issues.”

Lori N.

“Our second time leaving Rodney with Kristopher and his family and it went even better than the last! Check ins were great and he came home very happy and tired.”

Ashlie M.

“Piper had a great time with Wendy and her family. We received pictures and Wendy was very accommodating when we needed to adjust our drop off and pick up times due to circumstances beyond our control. We will definitely book with Wendy again!”

Jenny T.

“Molly is loving her time at Caroline’s and the peace of mind we have knowing she is safe means EVERYTHING to us. Thank you Caroline for caring for our baby so well!”

Kelly M.

“Jaimee took great care of Fuji! I booked with her for one night super last minute so I was grateful she was able to fit me in. Jaimee was also very flexible with my drop off and pick up time. She sent me an appropriate amount of pictures of Fuji. Fuji was very happy when I brought her home and seemed to have had a great time! Would definitely recommend and book again. Thank you, Jaimee!”

C H.

“My boy Ramsey had such a great time with Rachel and her family. She sent so many wonderful pictures of him happily playing and took such loving care of him. I had peace of mind leaving him with her and was able to relax and have a great time at my niece’s wedding. Highly recommend Rachel and will book her again when I’m in Grand Rapids.”

Pat D.

“Great couple and beautiful pets of their own. I was very comfortable leaving scarlette with them. Thank you guys! 100/100 will use them again.”

Jennifer B.

“Amy did a wonderful job looking after our Beagle, Harvey for an extended weekend away. She was particularly good at giving us updates on how the dogs were doing throughout the weekend”

John L.

“Iris and Corey took good care of our husky. They sent plenty of photo updates, took him on lots of walks and adventures, and he was clearly well-loved! He came back to us very happy. Thank you guys for watching our boy, especially on short notice!”

Katherine B.

“Jenny took great care of our puppy while we were gone for the weekend. And taking care of a puppy is a lot different than taking care of an adult dog. She sent us lots of pictures, which was great because we all missed Stevie very much.”

Zachary K.

“Dan and Kelly are awesome. They sent pics and updates which we loved. By the end of his 5 days Pocket got into the groove there and did great. Matter of fact he loved it so much that he was pouty the entire day after we brought him home. It is hard to leave pets. With Dan and Kelly one can relax and know all is well. Super grateful. Thank you to Dan, Kelly and the gang.”

Kari S.

About: Dogs have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I currently have three dogs, all of whom I brought home at eight weeks old and personally raised and trained. Caring for dogs isn’t just something I enjoy—it’s a lifelong passion. I have experience with dogs of all sizes, breeds, ages, and temperaments, from Chihuahuas to Pit Bulls to Alaskan Malamutes and everything in between. Over the years, I have provided pet care for neighbors, friends, colleagues, and clients, and I understand the importance of treating every dog with patience, kindness, and individualized care. While working as a home health care aide, I was often entrusted with caring for my clients’ pets, ensuring they were fed, exercised, and comfortable while their owners received care. I also volunteered as a dog walker with the Humane Society of West Michigan, where I gained experience working with dogs of varying personalities, energy levels, and behavioral needs. I am comfortable administering medications, following detailed feeding plans and dietary restrictions, and adapting to each dog’s unique routine. I am also certified in Dog and Cat First Aid and CPR, giving pet owners added peace of mind that their companions are in capable hands. Whether your dog enjoys long walks, active playtime, or simply spending time with someone who genuinely loves dogs, I am committed to providing safe, dependable, and compassionate care while you’re away. As a devoted dog owner of three, caring for animals is an integral part of my daily life, and I extend that same level of attention, responsibility, and affection to every pet in my care. I am fully comfortable handling all aspects of daily dog care, including feeding, walking, potty breaks, enrichment, and playtime. My flexible schedule allows me to be home for most of the day throughout the week, as well as on weekends, providing consistent supervision and companionship. I also have the option to work from home when additional attention or frequent potty breaks are needed. In my household, pets are rarely left alone for extended periods. On typical days when I am away from home, my dogs are alone no longer than 5–6 hours. In many cases, my boyfriend may be home when I am not, and when both of us are working, we are generally away for no more than 4–5 hours at a time. If both of us are expected to be away for longer than two hours during a pet’s care period, I communicate this in advance to ensure transparency and appropriate planning. I maintain a consistent but flexible routine that prioritizes feeding, hydration, exercise, and enrichment. Dogs always have access to fresh water and are fed twice daily (or as often as your individual dog requires). Potty breaks are provided frequently based on each dog’s individual needs and cues; however, I am more than willing to follow a more structured schedule if that is what your pet is accustomed to. I am also experienced with administering medications, including monthly heartworm and flea prevention, and take great care to ensure all medications are given accurately and on time. While my household follows a generally relaxed routine, I understand that many pets thrive on structure. I am fully comfortable adhering to detailed instructions and incorporating established routines into my daily care. During the days I am available according to my Rover schedule, I am home for the majority of the day. Any brief absences are typically limited to short appointments, during which my boyfriend may assist with supervision, or pets will be safely confined if appropriate. Above all, I prioritize safety, supervision, and communication. Your pet will never be left without attentive care. Whether in my home or yours, I ensure consistent supervision, engagement, and affection so that every animal feels secure, comfortable, and well cared for throughout their time with me. Your pet’s safety, comfort, and happiness are my highest priorities. I share my home with three friendly dogs, each with their own unique personality: an energetic and affectionate Boston Terrier, a more reserved but sweet Boston Terrier, and a laid-back Chihuahua who enjoys staying close by. They are well-socialized and can provide companionship for visiting dogs when appropriate. My home is set up to accommodate a variety of needs and routines. I have three individual crates with comfortable bedding available for dogs who are crate trained or require confinement, and you are always welcome to bring your own crate if it helps your pet feel more at home. While my own dogs enjoy free access to the house and are allowed on the furniture, I am happy to follow your pet’s established rules and routines, including using gates or designated areas if needed. Although my yard is not physically fenced, safety is always a top priority. My dogs are never outdoors unsupervised, and the same standard of care applies to every pet I watch. I have a large, open yard that provides plenty of space for exercise, and I regularly walk dogs on a leash around the property and in the neighborhood. If your dog is most comfortable on a leash or tie-out while outside, I am more than happy to accommodate those preferences. All of my dogs are current on their vaccinations and receive routine veterinary care. I pay close attention to changes in their health, behavior, and overall well-being, and I bring that same level of attentiveness to every pet in my care. If I am caring for your pet in your home, I will treat both your home and your companion with the utmost respect. I carefully follow all instructions regarding feeding, medications, exercise, training, household rules, and daily routines to ensure your pet experiences as little disruption as possible while you are away. At bedtime, I am happy to follow whatever sleeping arrangement your pet is accustomed to, whether that means sleeping in a crate, on their own bed, or sharing a room with me. My goal is to maintain their normal routine so they feel secure and comfortable. My boyfriend and I live together, but I will be your pet’s primary caregiver. He may occasionally assist if I need to step away briefly, providing additional supervision and support, but all communication and primary care responsibilities remain with me. For added peace of mind, I am certified in Dog and Cat First Aid and CPR. You can trust that your pet will receive attentive, compassionate, and responsible care throughout their stay.

“This was Fergus’ first time with Felix and I felt assured the whole time that he was in good hands. The photos & videos were great & I could tell Fergus was having a good time. Highly recommend”

Diane M.

“Ru watched our dog—Bailey—for us while we went on a trip abroad for a week and a half and she was amazing! She updated us and sent pictures of Bailey to us regularly, which made us never worry about if Bailey was doing okay. Ru was also very flexible in extending Bailey’s stay with her by a few hours when our flight back home was unexpectedly canceled. Overall, I highly recommend Ru to watch your companion animals—she’s wonderful!”

Becca S.

About: People’s pets are family, and they should be taken care of accordingly! I’ll give updates during each service so you know your pet is taken care of properly. Drop ins - I’ll sit and play with your animal for the allotted time to make sure they aren’t lonely all day, because who likes that? Will send an update with a picture if you’d like. Walking - will walk down any trail that is close by, take the scenic route. If roads can be avoided they will be. No animals should be near roads as it could be dangerous. Will send pictures with updates of how much your pet is loving their walk. Sitting/Boarding - Finding a pet sitter is stressful, I am here to make it easy. If you would like to board your pet with me I would more than happy to take care of them. We have a dog ourselves and he is the sweetest! Will take special requests as well during the services! I’ll love your pet while you are away. I do work full time in an office 9-5pm. Allowing for plenty of time after work or on the weekends to spend with your pet. We live on a farm with plenty of space for your pet to play and explore under our supervision. We have 2 other dogs that get along great with other dogs and will keep your pet company!

“We left our pug with Sherri and her family and were so happy we did! Sherri took exceptional care of our pet and we could tell that she was in such good hands. I highly recommend Sherri. She was exceedingly conscientious and caring and Junebug came back to us happy and healthy!!”

Paige Z.

“Chad was great with Simon and his huge backyard gave plenty of room to run. Chad was “assisted “ by his little doodle, Lucy. When back to the Grand Rapids area in the future Chad will be our first choice.”

Douglas B.

“Highly Recommended! Melanie went above and beyond to make our toy poodle welcomed and comfortable when we boarded him for our trip! I appreciated the daily updates, pictures and even a fun video. Melanie is prompt, reliable and trustworthy!! She treats your dog like her own. When we came back from our trip, Tucker was happy and relaxed. Thank you again for everything!! Sheryl P.”

Sheryl P.