Joann S.
Joann S.
Contact for Boarding
from $74 per night
Highlights
Pet care experience
Golden Retriever Mom, home all day!
I have had and cared for dogs and cats my entire life. I have had so many different breeds but mostly mixes, a Keeshond was my first dog as an adult. I always dreamed of Golden Retrievers since visiting my aunt who had several on her property in North Carolina. Now I have two English Cream Goldens, Krypto and Cleo! I love all dogs and am especially comfortable with Labs and Goldens or any mix with them. I can’t believe how much fun pet sitting is for me and how much I enjoy it. Even though I love Goldens and Labs, I get so much joy in meeting new dogs and different breeds and getting to play with all different dogs. It brings me great joy to make a dogs stay away from home safe and fun. I am home all day except for small errands or appointments with doctors. I prefer to have no more than 2 dogs boarding so that the dogs staying with me have an experience where they feel like family and get lots of attention. Our home is perfect for dogs with a front courtyard, huge and level fenced yard, dog proof flooring, lots of extra room for dog play, dog beds and also some hot/cold outdoor faucets for those muddy days. We just put in some hybrid dog turf in the back so those muddy days are very few and far between even in the winter – this hybrid turf was a great addition and it feels like a dream getting to take the dogs in and out even on the rainy days with no mess and lots of fun. Cleo is trained as a therapy dog. She and I are a certified team and so are her and my daughter Billie. We love doing therapy dog work and so does Cleo! We plan to train Krypto as a therapy dog as well when he is a little older. Caring for Senior Dogs I have lots of experience caring for senior dogs and my home is really well suited for them. It’s all one level and if you go out the front door there is only a single step to get outside to the courtyard that leads to the yard. I also have Ruggables all over that are easily washed and I can bring out even more and cover all walking paths if a dog needs rugs to be sturdy on their feet and walk. I have cared for two of my own dogs that had a lot of elder and health care needs. One had diabetes and I am very good and used to giving medication. My dogs are very good with dogs that are at a slower pace. Our beloved Bullmastiff Belle passed at 13 years old in 2023 and Cleo and Krypto were so gentle but loving with her as she was their grandma figure. I have a minivan with the seats out that is low to the ground and can pickup and drop-off. If we do transport we will have lots of bedding and soft stuff for your dog to be comfortable and I would bring my mom or daughter to keep your dog company while I drive. I will make sure any other dogs that come stay with us while a senior dog is here is a good fit.
Cat care experience
Joann also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
Our dog Filson always has the best time at Joann’s! We are repeat clients and have the best peace of mind when she’s taking care of our pup. Her house and backyard are an excellent destination for playtime with her sweet Golden Retrievers. She’s always kind, responsive, and flexible. Highly recommended!!
Joann S. cancelled a booking 1 day before it was scheduled to begin.
Another great experience with Joann! Dora loves staying with her and gets so excited as soon as we arrive, she can't wait to see Joann and her lovely dogs! Joann provides the best care, and we can clearly tell how much Dora loves staying there. We really appreciate the updates and photos, and highly recommend Joann!
Joann was terrific with my little senior dog. Lexi has lots of meds and has some difficulty getting around. Joann scheduled a meet and greet to be sure Lexi would be comfortable at her house and with her large (gentle giant) dogs. I appreciated the updates and the great care and I knew Lexi was in good hands and enjoyed her stay. I think Lexi was a little disappointed when it was time to go home. I highly recommend Joann.
We have used Joann several times now, and I trust her 100% with my dog. As a returning customer, I can say with total confidence that she is the real deal. She treats my dog exactly like her own—full of love, cuddles, and attention. I appreciate her communication; she is so easy to talk to and always keeps me updated with photos and messages while I’m away. It gives me such peace of mind knowing my fur baby is in safe, trustworthy hands. Highly, highly recommend! Thank you!!!
Another worn out from “fun-with-friends” stay for our middle-aged lab, plus lots of love from Joann and her family. Happy dog.
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
Schedule I am usually home all day with the exception of running some errands, dinner out or a walk. I never leave my own or others dogs outside unsupervised even though we have a fenced yard. My dogs love other dogs and they get good exercise outside playing with each other. My teenage daughter lives at home and I have two boys in college that are home in the summer and holidays. They all love animals and will be in and out of the home. My mom also often comes over with her English Cream Golden Retriever Bailey. Bailey loves to play with other dogs and you can see him and my mom in my profile photos with my dogs!
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
I board dogs that can integrate into our family and be with us all the time just like our two dogs. I am with the dogs whenever they are outside. We have a wonderful backyard and enclosed courtyard for lots of outdoor time. Please let me know if your dog chews or needs to be in a crate when I leave or over night. Your dog can be free with mine when I leave, in their crate or I can have them in a separate room. We will discuss what is best during a meet and greet. Most of the time the dogs all stay together but sometimes for the first day or two I keep them separate when I leave. I want any dog staying with me to feel like they are on a fun vacation and loved so the goal is to make sure they will be happy but also crate them if they will chew my furniture or are not potty trained yet. I want to be flexible with my schedule and do try to take last minute requests but I do require a meet and greet. I do this to make sure the dogs and my home are a fit and to prevent an last minute spoiled plans. I will work with you to fit a no cost meet and greet in before your dogs stay. A meet and greet helps the dogs too. They are always more excited to be here the second time they come so it really makes the actual drop off better. The meet and greet is a great time for you to get all your questions answered and make sure you are going to be able to feel relaxed leading up to and during your time away. I will spend the time with you needed to show you around, meet my dogs and to answer all of your questions. We can also go over special instructions and I will document them and save them for when you drop off.
Pets
A typical day
I spend most of my time at home. We have a large fenced in yard and front courtyard area that allows the dogs to be outside with us. I let them go potty first thing in the morning and then have open play time outside. I then bring them in and feed them, then I do the morning chores (washing all the dog bowls, wash dog towels/toys vacuum dog hair) and they hang out inside with me while I do that so their food can settle for a while. Now that the weather is warm as we were heading into summer we go outside and I let the dogs play some more in the back and then bring them to the courtyard while I garden or read or just enjoy the outside. I may leave for an hour or two go go to the store or out to dinner but that is only about 3 days of the week. My kids usually get home from school and work in the evenings and we eat dinner kind of late. This means the dogs eat around 7 – 8 and then go out once more closer to bed time. In the house they can play to with a couple of larger open areas. They are usually tired and sleep tho! The dogs are not outside alone and I’m always out there watching them unless it’s a quick night potty where I watch from the door. Most dogs get all their wiggles and excitement out within a day as there is so much play time. If your dog needs extra walks or activities then that can be requested. We live near Big Finn Hill Park, Denny Park and St. Edwards State Park and have amazing neighborhood to walk in. I try and do as much as I can with the dogs at home so I am home for all of them and also because they usually love all being together and being part of a fund doggy pack during their stay.