Dogs have their day
New resort offers perks for pets

By Sarah Bruyn Jones
November 21, 2002

The 6-year-old border collie is one of the first customers at the upscale Olde Towne Pet Resort, which opened this month on Alban Road in Springfield.

"She's just in bliss after that massage and grooming," said Laura Mae, Cali's nanny, as Cali drapes her head over the side of her seat in the lobby.

The 27,000-square-foot day spa and overnight hotel for cats and dogs offers state-of-the-art accommodations for pets. At a cost of $7 million, the two-level structure is the largest pet resort in the country.

"This facility will revolutionize the pet care industry," said Mark Fried, who also owns Fried Cos. Inc., a Fairfax-based real estate development, construction, leasing and property management firm. "It has everything your pet could want--all under one roof."

And he is not exaggerating. There is an indoor track, a hydrotherapy pool, luxury suites complete with televisions and picture windows and indoor bathroom accommodations. The walls are decorated with paintings on loan from the Zenith Gallery in Washington, D.C., which will be rotated in and out of the building on a regular basis.

The floors are tiled with a specially designed surface that prevents animals from slipping and is easily wiped clean should a pet have an accident.

"There is nothing in this building that can be damaged by a dog," said Joe Renaldis, chief operations manager who oversaw the planning and construction of the facility.

Fried, along with Renaldis and others, spent months formulating a plan to ensure nothing was overlooked. The resort was conceived by Fried and Carlos Mejias, founder of the Olde Towne School for Dogs in Alexandria. Mejias serves as chief executive officer of the Olde Towne Pet Resort.

With temperatures locked in between 68 and 72 degrees, the building is considered ideal for pets. The temperature, coupled with a humidity level of 45 to 50 percent, may be a bit chilly for the staff, but for the pets it's perfect, Renaldis said.

Even the air filtration system is state-of-the-art. By recirculating fresh air every four to six minutes, the stench often associated with a veterinary clinic or boarding kennel is eliminated. "That's why if you stand still you can feel a constant slight breeze moving through," explained Keith Nahigian, spokesman for the facility.

Even though Renaldis has never built a pet resort, he said, "I've built a lot of hotels. And this is just like a hotel."

To understand the difference between a people and pet hotel, Renaldis traveled throughout the country touring pet care facilities. The research resulted in the decision to go "in the direction of having something for everyone," he said.

The three types of kennels are attributed to that philosophy. Pet owners can choose between the 4-by-6-foot "classic suite," priced at $35 a night, and the "five star luxury suite," which includes a TV/VCR and a webcam--allowing owners to check in on their pets any time from an Internet site--for $55 a night. Some accommodations can add up to $75 a night if there are two dogs or adjoining suites.

While the facility can hold up to 65 felines in a separate boarding room, the spa is mainly geared for canines. Bathing, professional grooming, massage therapy and doggie day care are all part of the treatment reserved for dogs.

After holding an open house Nov. 9 and 10, the spa has drummed up quite a lot of business, and by last weekend no vacancies remained over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Although many owners opt to have their dogs receive extra treatment besides the walks and play time included in the overnight packages, the resort is also busy serving day-goers like Cali.

After prize-winning groomer Ronda Nottingham finishes with Cali, she moves on to a pair of bichon frises, first bathing them, then styling their fur into the traditional cut for the breed. Although the dogs struggle when the water is first turned on for the bath, they soon succumb to the pulsing hose head.

At the other end of the resort, Hercules and Maximus are testing the waters of the oblong pool, designed especially for dogs.

"This is their first time swimming," said Reina Demanarig, who lives in Woodbridge with two Chihuahuas. "We always wanted them to learn to swim but a tub is too small and there isn't a pool nearby."

After a 30-minute session of swimming up and down the 25-foot-long pool in specially designed life jackets, the 1-year-old dogs are worn out and ready for a nap. By swimming in the pool, the dogs are moving their legs at full speed, enabling a high-energy workout session, Renaldis said.

Even though the pool was one of the final additions to the plan, Renaldis said it has turned out to be well received by dog owners and pet clubs--some are even asking to rent it out for pool parties.

Whether pets use the facilities for an hour or stay a week, the response seems to be the same as owners check out in the lobby: "We'll be back."