Help With the Hardest Parts of Running a Pet Care Business

For a list of current business topics I’m actively helping owners with, click here.

This is not traditional consulting. This is one-on-one, real-world help for pet care business owners who are dealing with situations they don’t know how to handle. Clients, employees, difficult dogs, policies, boundaries, and decisions that feel heavy or overwhelming — this space exists for those moments.

I Didn’t Start With a Perfect Facility — and I’m still Improving Every Single Day

In 2017, I took over an existing boarding and daycare business that was operating out of a 130-year-old barn. The facility had only been licensed for about six months, had never passed a winter inspection, and was full of problems that weren’t obvious until I was already in it.

My dad and I renovated the entire space ourselves. We learned through trial and error, long nights, unexpected expenses, and constant problem-solving. There were no shortcuts, no polished systems, and no one telling us what to do next.

Pictured: Colin, holding Petunia. Mia sitting.

I share this because the reality is that most people in pet care don’t start with a lot of money in the bank or the ability to build their dream facility right away. They start with what they can afford, what’s available to them at the time, and a lot of unanswered questions. That means making constant decisions about where to spend money, where to save, and what can wait.

I have made just about every mistake you can imagine along the way — especially early on. I learned the hard way what matters, what doesn’t, and what mistakes are avoidable if someone simply explains them to you ahead of time. That experience is a big part of why I want to help others avoid the same costly missteps.

Even getting into this industry doesn’t usually happen all at once. My own path started in a very simple way — training my personal dog, traveling, competing, and slowly building experience and confidence over time. Everyone’s journey starts somewhere, and it’s almost never where they wish it was.

Progress in this industry happens through small, thoughtful steps taken consistently. If you’re willing to learn, ask questions, and move forward one decision at a time, you can build something strong — even if your starting point feels far from ideal.

Who I Am

I am the owner of Berkley Creek Pet Retreat in Mars, Pennsylvania. What began as a small, imperfect operation has grown steadily over time through hands-on work, consistency, and a lot of learning along the way. When the business reached the point where expansion made sense, I helped lead the process from start to finish, including serving as the general contractor during construction.

Today, Berkley Creek operates as a purpose-built, 10,000-square-foot boarding and daycare facility, with 23,000 square feet of outdoor play space and 27 employees. The growth did not happen overnight — it happened through thousands of small decisions, many of which I had to figure out the hard way.

Over the years, we have been honored to win multiple Best of the Best GOLD (highest honor given) awards for boarding and daycare facilities in the Pittsburgh area. Our philosophy has always been simple: do simple things very well, remain consistent, and provide a truly personalized experience for every client and every dog. None of this has been easy. The journey has been challenging, demanding, and humbling — but it has also been incredibly rewarding.

I want to take what I’ve learned through that journey and share it with others. Whether someone’s dream is large or small, whether they want to open a facility, start a pet sitting business, or simply understand how to do things the right way, I want to help.

Why I’m Doing This

Over the years, I have watched countless people join Facebook groups and online communities because they want to learn how to get started in pet care — boarding and daycare, pet sitting, dog walking, and everything in between. Most of these people are drawn to the work for the right reasons: a genuine love for animals and a desire to build something meaningful around that passion.

Unfortunately, many of those same people hesitate to ask questions publicly. They post anonymously, or not at all, out of fear — fear of embarrassment, fear of sounding inexperienced, or fear of being treated poorly for simply not knowing something yet. The truth is, everyone has real questions. And the reality is that the pet care world would be safer, kinder, and more professional if education were encouraged instead of judged.

I have been around dogs for most of my life, and even today, I am still learning. That never stops — and it shouldn’t. When you choose to do work you love, especially work that involves caring for living creatures, learning is not a phase you graduate from. It is a responsibility you carry at every stage.

Pictured left to right: Colin, Mia, Petunia, Erin

Private, Judgment-Free, and Personal

That belief is what led me to offer free, one-on-one consulting for people in the pet care space. These conversations will be private, personal, and judgment-free, so that people can ask honest questions without worrying about how they might be perceived. This is about education, encouragement, and clarity — not criticism.

Pictured left to right: Milo, Erin

In Honor of Milo

This consulting work is an expansion of the Petunia Pets project and is deeply personal to me. It is done in honor of Milo. When we adopted Milo, he needed a fresh start in life — and we were able to give him one. I have come to believe that people often need fresh starts too. Sometimes that looks like a new career. Sometimes it’s the desire to build something better. Sometimes it’s simply wanting to make the world a little kinder. Whatever form it takes, that need is real — and it deserves support.

If you would like to read more about Milo’s story and why Petunia exists, you can learn more on our About Us page.

Completely Free — Always

This consulting will always be completely free. It is my way of giving back through community service, supporting people who care deeply about animals, and continuing to honor Milo by helping others build something meaningful with compassion, patience, and integrity.

Pictured left to right: Mia, Colin, Milo

What You Can Ask About

• Getting started in boarding, daycare, pet sitting, or dog walking
• Facility setup, daily operations, staffing, and customer experience
• Policies, safety standards, and how to build trust with clients
• Legal concerns and how to protect yourself as best as possible
• How to grow responsibly without losing the personal touch
• Anything you’re afraid to ask publicly — no judgment
• Training staff and lowering turnover (people quitting or leaving)
• ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF!

If you’re just starting out, you’re not alone — and you’re not behind. Everyone learns by asking questions. If you care about animals, and you want some guidance, this is the place for you!