Doggy Day Care Thaxton

“Darcie was wonderful! We highly recommend her!”

Martha O.

About: Lifelong dog lover with 11 years of hands-on experience raising and training high-energy sporting dogs for competition. I’m comfortable with feeding routines, medication, training reinforcement, and providing a safe, structured environment. Whether your dog needs exercise, attention, or just a calm place to relax, I treat every pup like my own. As I near retirement, I have the flexibility and availability to provide attentive, in-home care for your dog. Your pet will enjoy a calm, consistent environment with plenty of time for exercise, supervision, and companionship giving you peace of mind while you’re away. Your dog will have plenty of space to enjoy, with a large fenced yard and access to 144 acres of farmland for safe, supervised nature walks. I offer both indoor kennels and covered outdoor kennels with four private runs, providing comfort, security, and flexibility to meet each dog’s needs.

“Emily & Donnie accepted a last minute booking for my new puppy & I feel like I hit the jackpot! They were so nice, accommodating, & responsive. I received pictures & videos throughout the day, which made this pup mommy's heart smile ☺️ I couldn't recommend them enough. I will definitely be using them again!”

Natasha H.

“Great communication and great location. Will be a return customer.”

Wayne E.

About: I’ve always had a pet dog. Our dog is older (10) but she is still energetic and loves other dogs! This will be a family effort to take good care of your beloved pet! I am currently home full time. I already care for our own pet so adding another would be seamless. Your pet is welcome to join my home! I have a backyard for them to run around in. It’s fenced but has some openings. I also have a lead leash for them. I will take good care of your pet - providing what they need and want.

“Karlie is wonderful! I know Moose is always well taken care of with her! And I appreciate how well she communicates with me!”

Hannah J.

About: You can trust your pup with me! My love for dogs and animals started when I was a child and has grown into a deep bond and genuine care for every dog I meet. I truly go above and beyond when it comes to pet care — and in my book, a little spoiling is always included. ;) I’ve had decades of hands-on experience caring for dogs since 2004, from training my first Mini Schnauzer, Ally, as a puppy to providing specialized senior care as she got older. In 2009, my husband and I rescued our first senior Schnauzer, Smokey, and cared for him through several medical issues including seizures, gastroenteritis, and inner ear infections. I’m extremely attentive to a dog’s needs, personality, comfort, and safety, and I always stay alert to make sure they’re happy, secure, and out of trouble. I understand how important it is to trust someone with your fur baby, and I would care for your dog like one of my own. I’m a stay-at-home pet parent, which allows me to give my full attention and care to both my own dog and the pets staying with me. At our home, pets are treated like family and will receive lots of love, attention, supervision, and playtime throughout the day. We have a securely fenced yard for safe outdoor time, potty breaks, and play, but dogs will always be supervised while outside. I pay close attention to each dog’s personality, comfort level, routines, and needs to help them feel safe and relaxed while away from home. Whether your pup enjoys playtime, walks, cuddles, or simply relaxing in a calm environment, I’m happy to accommodate their routine as closely as possible. I also understand the importance of consistency, patience, and attentiveness, especially for senior dogs or pets with special needs.

About: Hi! I’m Heather, a dependable and compassionate caregiver with years of hands on experience caring for both children and animals. As a mom of three, I understand how important it is to trust the person caring for someone you love, including your pets. We have a fully fenced in back yard where pets can safely play and explore, and we live in a quiet, private cul de sac just minutes from Smith Mountain Lake, which makes for peaceful long walks and plenty of outdoor time. I have experience with daily pet care routines including feeding, walking, playtime, and making sure pets feel safe, comfortable, and loved while their owners are away. I’m patient, attentive, and committed to providing a calm and caring environment for every pet I meet. Whether your pet needs lots of energy and play or a quieter, gentle approach, I’m happy to adapt to their personality and needs. I treat every animal like family and would love the opportunity to care for yours! I’m a 7th grade Special Education teacher and officially off for the summer, which gives me plenty of flexibility and availability to care for your pets. I primarily offer boarding and doggy day care in my home, where pets can enjoy a fully fenced in back yard, a calm family environment, and walks through our quiet private neighborhood near Smith Mountain Lake. Providing care in my home allows me to stay present with both my children and the pets in my care, ensuring they receive plenty of attention, supervision, playtime, and companionship throughout the day. During the school year, my availability becomes more limited due to my teaching schedule, but I may still be able to accommodate certain evenings, weekends, holidays, or overnight stays with advance notice. I’m always happy to discuss scheduling needs ahead of time to see how I can help. Your pet’s safety and comfort are my top priorities. We live in a quiet, private cul de sac just minutes from Smith Mountain Lake, which allows for peaceful walks and plenty of outdoor exercise. We also have a fully fenced in back yard where pets can safely play and explore. As a mom of three and a Special Education teacher, patience, attentiveness, and creating a calm environment come naturally to me. I understand that every pet has different needs and personalities, and I work hard to help them feel secure and cared for while they are away from home. I can accommodate crate training if needed, follow medication or feeding schedules closely, and provide regular updates so pet parents feel comfortable and informed. My goal is to treat every pet like part of the family.

“Absolutely wonderful! I got updates through out the day and photos. Loki had such a wonderful time. It was nice knowing while I was working he was taken well care of.”

Payton B.

“My pup had a great time with Wendy! She’s clearly a big dog lover and gave him so much room to run around and play. He came back a tired and happy pup!”

Ayushi S.

“Kimberly was absolutely phenomenal and so kind! Our senior fur baby has a lot of extra needs, so we’ve always put date days aside to ensure we wouldn’t have to leave her home alone. From the first text interaction with Kimberly to meeting in person - we knew that we found someone we could trust! We got picture updates throughout the day, and each care instruction we provided was taken very serious. We will definitely be trusting Kimberly with our fur baby in the future. Thank you SO much!”

Alexis M.

“Alliyah is there best! This was our third time having our dog stay with her and she is wonderful. So grateful to have such a reliable dog sitter close to home!!!”

Jane I.

“Both Taylor and Jessica are super nice people and very accommodating. We used their services for our dog and they kept her for us while we were out of town. We would definitely use them again!”

Jackie D.

About: Hi, My name is Torie. I am a nurse. I grew up on a farm with horses, goats, chickens, donkeys, and of course dogs/cats. I worked at the Virginia Tech Dairy, milking cows and feeding calves, during my time as an undergraduate at Virginia Tech. I currently own a horse and I have two dogs. I have a heart for taking care of animals and I have a lot of experience. I have experience with caring for special needs, administering medications, and wound/injury care. I love all animals. I have two acres at my house, it’s not fenced in but I have gps fence collars. I have access to a large farm and river frontage where your dog can be thoroughly exercised with permission. Terms negotiable. Feel free to ask any questions you might have. :) The pets are taken care of before anything else. They will be let out, fed their breakfast, and exercised first thing in the morning. They will be let out or walked every 4 hours or less. I will either leash walk your pet or I do have a gps fence e collar available. My dogs are very friendly and playful. They get along with all dogs from teeny pocket beagles to huge hounds and everything in between.

“So grateful that Nicole was able to help me out with daycare on a pretty short notice. Our girl Maggie does great with her and it's so good to know she is well taken care of.”

Rebecca P.

About: I have been pet sitting for over five years on a regular basis. I have been around cats and dogs my whole life. I have worked in a dog kennel/doggy day care in the past. I am confident and experienced with giving diabetic injections or medications. I am confident with dogs,cats,rabbits,lizards,snakes, hamsters, mice,and fish. I love animals and make sure to spend extra time with them. I am currently a homemaker and have a very flexible schedule. I can do small walks or check on pets a few times a day as needed. I make sure the pets get plenty of bathroom breaks and attention. I try to get them to play or take them on walks to get energy out. I can even water plants and pickup the mail.

“Marah is the best dogsitter on this app. She will treat your dog like it's hers. My dog loves going to Marah's and she is always tired and happy when I pick her up. Marah is extremely friendly and makes sure that your dog is well taken care of. I never have to worry about my dog with her because she will have the best of care! I would give Marah a 10 out 5 if I could.”

Abby S.

“Good people. Rory enjoyed his stay! 🐶”

Doug J.

About: I have a lifelong love for animals and 15 years of experience caring for pets. I bring a deep understanding of animal behavior and compassionate care to every pet I meet. I grew up with animals and currently have a three-year-old dog whom I trained myself, making me confident in basic obedience training. I have hands-on experience with dogs, including basic training, socialization, and understanding canine body language. I’ve also cared for multiple cats and appreciate their independent yet affectionate nature. From playtime and snuggles to maintaining feeding routines and administering medication when needed, I strive to make every pet feel comfortable and safe while their owner is away. I know how important it is to trust someone with your pet, and I treat every animal as if they were my own—with kindness, respect, and plenty of love. Whether your pet needs active engagement, gentle companionship, or a structured routine, I’m here to provide the care they deserve. As a full-time graduate student in a virtual program, I have a flexible schedule that allows me to provide attentive and consistent care for your pets. Whether it's daily walks, playtime, or overnight boarding, I have plenty of time to give your pet the love and attention they deserve. I’m available for boarding both during the week and on weekends, making it easy to accommodate your travel or work schedule. With the ability to be home throughout the day, I can ensure your pet gets regular companionship, exercise, and care. Whether they need structured routines or just lots of cuddles, I’m here to keep them happy and comfortable while you're away. I provide a loving and secure environment for pets in my home, with a fully fenced-in yard where dogs can play safely. I also have a friendly, well-socialized three-year-old poodle who enjoys the company of other dogs, making for great companionship if your pup enjoys socializing. I tailor care to each pet’s needs—whether that means plenty of playtime, structured routines, or a quiet space to relax. If needed, I can easily crate your dog for sleeping or downtime to match their usual routine. My goal is to make your pet feel at home while ensuring they are safe, happy, and well cared for.

“Our previous sitter told me they are moving, which prompted me to search for a new sitter. I decided to try Rebecca, and am I glad I did! I was happy with our first sitter, but LuLu spent her time there just sniffing their yard and snuggling up on the couch with the sitter. She barely ate and wouldn't play with their dog. It was such a delight to see how happy LuLu was at Rebecca's place. She ran around the yard like I haven't seen her do since she was a puppy. When Rebecca thought LuLu needed a rest and brought her inside, LuLu whined to go back out, so out she went for more running around! Finally, she took a nap on the couch, then got up and ate all of her dinner. Then she settled down chewing on her toy until we came back for her. She was happy to see us, but gave Rebecca a tail wag when they said goodbye. I'm so glad LuLu found a place where she can thrive when we're gone. Now I won't hesitate to book a vacation! Rebecca was very attentive to the history I gave her about LuLu and my instructions about her routine and fears. We did a Meet & Greet on short notice, and Rebecca showed LuLu and me her back yard and inside her house. She assured me that she would never give LuLu an opportunity to run away. The way Rebecca gave me updates all day long assured me that LuLu was being well cared for and was having a great time. Rebecca is definitely Lulu's new sitter. I couldn't be happier with her care.”

Cyndi D.