When Tony Piatt decided to open a boarding and training facility, he knew that he was going to do it “his way.” Tony was a police officer K-9 handler/trainer for 14 years and has been training dogs since 1999. He wanted to open a facility that was unique, that reflected his interests, and that provided his clients and their dogs services that were second to none. He did not want it to be a place where pet owners would bring their dogs for boarding, and the dogs would just stay in a cage until their owners returned. Since the owners were going on vacation, Tony didn’t see why their dogs couldn’t go on one, too.

Training would also be an important component of his operation. He would have private and group obedience classes, advanced one-on-one training, train and board programs, and eventually specialized training in areas like narcotics detection. Tony planned to offer full-service grooming, doggy daycare, vacation-themed overnight boarding, and an on-site travel agency for people. Yes, a real travel agency! Tony did his research, visited lots of existing facilities, then jumped full bore into designing his facility. Tony designed everything on his own computer. He found a great location and built his facility on four acres of land close to the interstate in Tilton, Illinois. Paw-A-Day Inn K9 Suites opened in July of 2010.

“Our entire facility has a tropical theme,” shares Tony. “I live in Illinois, but I’m a big fan of the tropics. And also, when people walk into our lobby, I want to give them the feeling that their dog is going on vacation.” He designed 46 luxury, deluxe, and standard boarding suites. All of the suites have heated floors. “With the weather we have in the Midwest,” says Tony, “it can be 65 degrees one day and only 12 degrees the next. We put heated flooring in the outside patios, too. It’s more comfortable for the pets, and it makes cleaning easier.”

Every suite has its own private covered patio that keeps the dogs out of the elements. In the summer, it can get really hot, but even in the heat, the dogs can go out on their patios and relax in shaded comfort while enjoying a nice breeze from the ceiling fans.

Tony wanted many of the suites to have tempered glass and stainless steel fronts. He worked with the Mason Company and got exactly what he wanted. The dogs (and their owners) really like it; it has a more open look, not like a cage. It really lessens the anxiety level for some of the dogs.

One of the unique services that Paw-A-Day offers to their boarding clients is the “seventh day is free,” and they also offer discounts for multi-pet families.

While he was designing his facility, Tony also planned to have a website.

At pawadayinnsuites.com, people can visit his site and take a virtual tour of his facility and see all of the services that are offered. People can make online reservations for boarding and grooming. They get an email confirmation and everything goes into their computer system.

Tony added two large fenced outdoor play yards especially for the dogs that attend the doggy daycare. ProGreen synthetic grass has been installed in both of the play yards. The ProGreen is easily disinfected and always looks like a beautifully manicured lawn. The owners love that there is no mud, and their pets come home clean.

There is an indoor training arena that has AgiliFlex foam flooring. “Unlike hard rubber flooring,” says Tony, “with AgiliFlex, the dogs can grip the floor and run. They won’t break a nail. And if a dog urinates or defecates on it, you can clean it right up. It does not absorb odor or fluids.”

Training is a very integral part of Paw-A-Day. Tony Piatt, the master trainer, has trained with top police K9 handlers, professional trainers, and Schutzhund competitors from all over the world. Tony has also written a training book, The Comfort Zone: 5 Step Guide to Dog Training. It’s written for the pet owner. At Paw-A-Day, in addition to Tony, there are three trainers on staff. Paw-A-Day is one of only 28 training entities in the state of Illinois that is authorized to train narcotic detection dogs for police work.

One of their most requested training services is their Board & Train Program. “It’s a 21-day program,” says Tony. “The dog stays here with us. We do a meet and greet with the owner. We see what the owner’s objectives are and see what the dog can do and what needs fixed. At the end of the program, the owner comes in and has a private class with the trainer. We have them work the dog, and then we have a follow-up two or three weeks later.”

Paw-A-Day has two professional groomers on staff. They provide full-service grooming for the dogs that are boarding or that are in for training or daycare. They also take outside reservations for their grooming services.

And speaking of reservations… that’s where Tropical Travel of Tilton comes in. Garla Allen, owner and travel agent, opened Tropical Travel in June of 2013. She and Tony thought that the two businesses were a natural fit for each other. “Most of the people that are boarding their dogs are also traveling,” says Tony. “This would be a way to provide another service to our clients.”

“It has worked very well in opening up new clients for both of us,” said Garla. “We each had our existing clients, and now many of them use both services. People would stop in to book travel plans, tour the kennel, and book a vacation for their dogs at the same time. Business has been above and beyond what we ever dreamed it would be.”

“Having Tropical Travel of Tilton in our lobby has been a real opportunity to bring new clients into our facility,” says Tony. “I think it’s a great add-on business for a boarding facility!”

Tony Piatt’s love of dogs, forte for training, and desire to provide spectacular vacations for both two- and four-legged clients are some of the reasons that Paw-A-Day K9 Boarding & Training Center has been growing since the day it opened. For Tony Piatt, every day is an adventure… and he loves it!

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