Dog's Powerful Healing Effects

Dogs are great companies, but have been known to be more than just that. Watch this powerful story from the folks at ABC News about how this dog saved two soldiers lives. Preview article below or watch full video and story here.

One Dog’s Powerful Healing Effects on Two Wounded Veterans

ABC News’ Kelly Hagan and Sabrina Peduto report:

Justin Lansford and his longtime girlfriend, Carol Balmes, love doting on their golden retriever, Gabe. But there is much more to this four-legged friend than meets the eye.

“The less I use my wheelchair, the more I need his help in smaller tasks and the more he is there,” Lansford, a U.S. Army veteran, told ABC News’ Lara Spencer. “It has been very comforting to know that.”

Lansford, of Silver Spring, Md., was severely injured during deployment when he was struck by an improvised explosive device.

“I was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and we were in eastern Afghanistan in early 2012,” he said. “We struck an IED and it flipped my truck completely. I had bilaterally severed femurs which resulted in the amputation of my left leg.”

While recovering at Walter Reade National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Lansford was introduced to Gabe through the Warrior Canine Connection, a nonprofit that pairs support dogs with wounded troops.

See full story here.

"Fanwood's K-9 Resorts EmBARKs Upon a Big 2014"

Check out this article secured in The Alternative Press on Thursday, March 13th, 2014 about the history of K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel and their plans for the future. Preview the article below or read full story here.

"Fanwood's K-9 Resorts EmBARKs Upon a Big 2014"

BY: John Mooney

FANWOOD, NJ - K-9 Resorts, Fanwood’s luxury hotel for dogs, is emBARKing a bold growth plan for 2014.


The company, which specializes in overnight boarding (from one night to two months), is adding franchise locations from Boston to Virginia in the near future. Pet owners turn to K-9 when they go on business trips or leisure travel and when they plan home construction projects. The company also offers “doggie daycare” that includes play groups so that pets can expend energy, exercise and socialize in a cage-free environment.

“Dogs are social animals that need exercise and stimulation. Doggie Daycare is the best way to provide both,” says co-founder Jason Parker, who started the business with his older brother, Steven. “It is important for puppies to socialize. People want their dogs to be social. It’s critical for them to start at a young age.”

Read full story here.

Prepare Your Dog for the Warmer Season

It's starting to get warmer out and your dogs will start to lose their winter coat soon. It is essential to properly prepare them for this warmer weather. Thanks to the folks at the examiner.com we can provide you with tips for preparing your friends for the new season. Read full article here or preview below.

"Tips on grooming and preparing your dog for the warmer season"

BY: Susan Lee

Wherever you live across the country, you are anticipating the beauty of spring and the onset of warmer weather. Along with those changes comes the increase of insects and parasites which can be a real annoyance when it comes to your dogs. For their health and protection, you will want to take the necessary steps to prevent any parasitic infestation that could affect your dog. The friendly staff at your local Rockford area Petsmart or Petco as listed below (or one closest to your home) can help you with all your grooming and parasitic needs to help your dog through the warmer season.

And although bathing and grooming your pet is a year-round responsibility, you and the dogs will be spending more time outdoors when weather permits. In early spring, it is advisable that you bring your dog in for a heartworm test, which is a blood test, in order to begin a heartworm preventative program. Chewable heartworm tablets are administered once monthly although you can opt for the six-month Pro-Hart vaccination if your dog is less than eight years old.

Some more advanced heartworm medications also work to prevent fleas and ticks; otherwise, liquid flea and tick preventatives are available in tube form which is applied at the neck area between the shoulder blades on your dog. Your veterinarian can best advise you on the most effective flea, tick and heartworm preventative medications.

Read full article here.

Sochi Dogs Still Need to be Rescued

Interested in adopting a dog? The Olympic torch has officially been extinguished, but stray dogs are still out there. Thanks to the folks at The Examiner we can learn more about what can be done for these helpless pups. Preview the article below or read the full article here.

"Olympic flames extinquished but Sochi stray dogs still need to be rescued"

Although the flames of the Sochi Olympic torch have been extinguished, the stray dogs of the city are still in dire need of rescue. Stepping up for her first two rescue pooches from Sochi on Saturday, was actress Katherine Heigl and her mother who joined up with Ali Fedotowsky, an Olympic news correspondent, reported Celebrity Yahoo.com as they waited at LAX for two rescued puppies to arrive.

Fedotowsky, a former Bachelorette contestant, visited the most popular shelter on the outskirts of Sochi called Povodog, funded by billionaire Oleg Deripaska, who admits he may even adopt one of the strays in the near future as soon as his children choose their perfect new pooch.

Read full article here.

Keep Your Dog Busy

Have your dogs started to get antsy for green grass and the warmer weather? Thanks to the folks at Gizmodo we are able to provide you with the 6 best toys to keep your dog really busy. This will keep them out of your hair for a little while just in time for it to get nice out! Preview the article below or read the full article here.

"The 6 Best Toys to Keep Your Dog Really Busy"

BY: ANNA JANE GROSSMAN

The Kong

The granddaddy of all work-to-eat toys, the Kong is a chew toy made of nearly indestructible rubber. It was originally based on a part of a Volkswagen bus' suspension device that the creator's German Shepherd found particularly irresistible. Kongs can be stuffed with a wide variety of yummies. Kong sells especially shaped treats and different things you can squeeze inside, but you can stuff it with whatever your dogs' weakness might be: cream cheese, Cheez Whiz, wet dog food, peanut butter, liverwurst, frozen blueberries, hamburger meat. Yummers.

There used to be a great product that operated on a timer and dispensed Kongs at intervals, so you could stuff four of them and then leave for the day and your dog would get them doled out at neat intervals. The product was discontinued a few years ago, but you can occasionally find a used one on Ebay, and they're well worth the $100 or so that they usually sell for. Search the ‘Bay for Dogopolis KongTime Automatic Dog Toy Dispenser.

Find the rest of the toys here.

Treat your pet like they are top dog!

At all of our location we treat your pet like they are top dog! Thanks to our friends at abc news you can read below about this years top dog taking home the bragging rights for the 138th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

"Meet America’s Top Dog, Sky the Wire Fox Terrier"

BY: Dan Good

Sky is America’s top dog.

The wire fox terrier won best in show at the 138th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday.

The 5-year-old female — whose full name is “GCh. AfterAll Painting the Sky” — beat a field that included a standard poodle, a Portuguese water dog and a bloodhound.

This was a record 14th time that a wire fox terrier has won at the nation’s top dog show.

“They were bred to look for trouble so they’re always on their toes out there,” Westminster Kennel Club Director of Communications and longtime WKC Dog Show TV co-host David Frei said of the terrier breed. “It’s their world and we’re just living in it and I think that gives them a little extra edge in the show ring.”

Read full article here.

Keep Pets Safe in the Extreme Cold

Don't take your dog out into the elements without being educated! Read these 6 tips for the extreme cold and how to keep your friends safe as we move towards the end of winter. Read full article here or begin below.

"6 Pet Safety Tips for the Extreme Cold"

By: Joanna Prisco

As much of the country continue to endure snow, sleet and ice, it's important to remember that four-legged friends require special care when the temperature drops.

Dr. George Melillo, Northeast regional medical director for Banfield Pet Hospital, which operates 800 locations throughout the U.S., shared with ABC News his tips for taking care of pets in extreme cold.

Keep a Cap on Playtime Even if Fido loves running through the fluffy piles of snow, extended exposure to the cold can be damaging to a pet's health. "It is recommended not to leave pets outside when the temperature drops below freezing," said Melillo. "Pets that are left outside for too long can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite."

Not only that, but extremities, such as ear tips, paws and the end of the tail are particularly susceptible to cold injuries, he said. For this reason, limit the time your pet spends in the cold. To determine how long is too long, keep a close eye on your dog to make sure they look comfortable. "Some dogs can stay outside longer than others," said Melillo. "For example, breeds such as Malamutes fare much better in cold weather than Chihuahuas."

Don't Go Shaving "Dogs with longer coats will be warmer in winter, so it is advised not to shave a dog's coat down to the skin," Melillo told ABC News. So no matter now cute Buffy looks when freshly shorn, it's best to wait until spring.

Read full article here. 

Runners: The Dog Breeds For You

Do you live a active and healthy lifestyle? Thanks to our friends at Outside magazine we are able to get a better understanding of which kind of dog would be best for us. Read below to find out the best dog breeds for runners and ones that will be able to keep up. Read full article here or begin below.

"The 10 Best Dog Breeds for Runners"

10. Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute has a thick coat and was bred to carry loads over long distances, so it is a great endurance runner and good for those who live in colder climates. With their hardy build and intelligence, Malamutes will gladly tough out less-than-ideal conditions by your side.

9. Dalmatian
Dalmatians can keep pace with horses. Which means they can keep pace with you. These large and lean dogs were classically employed to run ahead of firefighting carriages and clear the way, but they’re just as happy running through the park. Great if you’re looking for a more protective breed to accompany your long-distance jogs.

Read full article here.

Good Health in Cold Weather

It is vital to keep your pet active, but more importantly we need to take into consideration the steps to properly keep them in good health when the temperatures drop. This article from NPR provides some great tips as to how to do so. Read full article here or preview below. 

"Cold Weather Tips To Keep Your Pets In Good Health"

by SCOTT HENSLEY


Here I sit shivering, wishing I were a dog or cat to get through this cold snap.

A built-in fur coat, no commute and maybe some quality time by the fireplace. What could go wrong?

Quite a few things, it turns out.

The friendly animal lovers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine's Ryan Hospital report seeing a few wintery problems for pets in the ER over the last few days. Some you might not have expected.

"One thing that we saw this weekend was rabbits who were in a basement during the cold weather," Dr. Deborah C. Mandell tells Shots. The rabbits were sick with a life-threatening condition called gastrointestinal stasis. Their intestines stopped working. Exposure to cold can trigger the problem, says Mandell, an emergency and critical care vet. The rabbits did fine after they were gently warmed.

Read full article here. 

"Forty-six fascinating ideas that raised 1/2 billion dollars"

The producers of CNBC’s “Power Pitch” posted a year-in-review video featuring highlights of the last year on Thursday, December 26th. View the video here!

"Forty-six fascinating ideas that raised 1/2 billion dollars"

By: Erin Barry

This year, Power Pitch featured 53 founders from 46 start-ups—all with the courage to step up and deliver a 60-second pitch to experts and potential investors. They faced tough questions (and judgments) from some of the biggest names in venture capital, social media, fashion and food.

We’ve had a blast producing this series and look forward to featuring more in 2014.Thanks to all the founders and panelists for participating, and to all our viewers! And a huge thanks to all of our startups for sharing their big ideas:

You can view the entire highlight video here.

"Winter weather tips for pet owners"

This article focuses on winter weather tips from K-9 Resorts to pet parents and how to make sure they stay warm, safe and healthy during the cold months. Preview below or read full article here.

"Winter weather tips for pet owners"

By: Alternative Press

With the cold weather and holiday season upon us, it’s important for all pet parents to know the best advice to take care of their furry family members. K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel would like to share some winter weather tips for you and your pets. For more information about K-9 Resorts in Fanwood, more tips for your pets or to find a location near you go to www.k9resorts.com, fanwood@k9resorts.com or call at (908) 490-0808. 

1. When you bring your pet in from outside, make sure to wipe its paws and underside to remove any ice balls that could cause frostbite. Check ears, tail, and paws for any signs of frostbite as well.


2. Make sure you check your house for plants that could potentially harm your pets. Poinsettias are extremely poisonous to dogs and are most commonly found during the holidays around the home.

Read full article here. 

Remove the Mess

We all love dogs, but don't want remnants of their mess left behind. Thanks to the folks at Dogster we have a few homemade remedies that will not break the bank while keeping those nasty odors and stains away. Read here for full article or begin below.

"Six Homemade Remedies for Dog Stains and Odors"

BY: DOGSTER

If you're strapped for cash and can't pick up your favorite professional cleaning products, fret not. There are a multitude of stain and odor remedies you can make at home with ingredients you may already have.

There are many pluses to using homemade pet cleaning remedies. It is cost effective for one, simple to put together, and as environmentally and pet-friendly as one could want. For some jobs that require extra strength, you may want to use ingredients that are best kept away from your pets. But you'll also find many non-toxic homemade pet cleaning remedies.

There are a few downsides to using homemade pet cleaning remedies but they can be worked with. Homemade supplies do not usually pack the punch that those we find in stores do, whether toxic or non-toxic. This is because you would need a laboratory to mimic some of their ingredients. But what a homemade pet cleaning remedy lacks in strength, you can make up for with elbow grease. Another downside is that homemade remedies do not retain their cleaning power as long as commercial ones. This just means mixing more often and, if you keep the ingredients on hand, this is easy to do.

Read the rest of the article here.

Tips to Finding Your Dog a New Friend

Adding another dog to the house can be a great thing for your current dog. However, it’s important to realize that there are some adjustments that need to be made in order for this companionship to be successful. Thanks to our friends at the ASPCA we have some tips as to how to introduce a new dog into the home. Read the article here or begin below.

"Introducing Your Dog to a New Dog"

By: ASPCA

As of 2007–2008, there were nearly 75 million pet dogs in the United States, living in nearly 45 million U.S. homes. Although the majority of dog guardians (63%) own just one dog, 25% own two, and 12% own three or more. So if you’ve decided to get a second or third dog, you’re in good company!

Adding another dog to your household can bring you and your current dog more fun and companionship. However, it’s important to realize that your current dog, might feel similar to how you might feel if your parents picked your friends and then told you to share your toys with them. In the long run, things will probably work out fabulously, but in the beginning it’s a very smart idea to take a few extra steps to make everyone feel good about the new arrangement. This article provides some guidelines for making smooth and safe introductions and ensuring that your dogs’ relationship gets off to a great start.

Maximizing the potential for a great relationship between your new dog and your current dog is a two-step process. It involves the actual introduction and then management of the new dog in your home. We’ll start with introductions and then give you guidelines for helping your dogs through the initial transition weeks of being together in your home.

Read full article here.

Prepping Those Pups For The Colder Months

The cold air and snow brings on many concerns for us this winter, but what does it mean for your dog? It is important to take the necessary precautions in order to properly prepare your pup for the winter months. Thanks to our friends at the American Kennel Club you can learn about the necessary measures that need to be taken in order to protect your furry friend. Read full article here or begin below.

"WINTER CARE FOR CANINES"

By: American Kennel club

Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind:

•Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors.

•Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.

•Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured.

•Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot.

Read full article here.

A Doggy Dog Halloween

Lions, tigers, bears, oh my! Looking for a cute Halloween costume for your dog this year? Check out these 15 easy DIY ideas from the folks at Spoonful. Give it your own personal touch or follow the step by step tutorials.

Click here for some great ideas!

"Fanwood Luxury Canine Care Center Partners With Scotch Plains Police to Pamper Patrol Pooches"

Recently K-9 Resorts and Luxury Hotel was featured on mycentraljersey.com for their help in caring for the Scotch Plains K-9 unit.

"Fanwood luxury canine care center partners with Scotch Plains police to pamper patrol pooches"

BY: MARK SPIVEY

SCOTCH PLAINS- One of the unique features of the Scotch Plains Police Department K-9 unit is that when the officers go on vacation, their canine partners do, too.

It's not like Gamble, 6, and Ollie, 4, hop on a plane with their police handlers, Chris Aversa and Brian Cheney, though. They just travel around the corner to the K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel in neighboring Fanwood- a local business that has pulled out all the stops to offer financial and logistical support to one of a select few municipal K-9 units in Central Jersey.

Click here to read more.

Separation Anxiety

It's sad to think the pets that bring us so much happiness could ever feel blue. 

However, Veterinarian clinics report that approximately 14% of dogs seen are suspected to suffer from separation anxiety. Since canines are naturally social animals, it's no surprise that many develop increased attachment behavior to their human family members.The onset of these problems often coincide when there is a dramatic change in the amount of time the owner spends with a pet. Symptoms of separation anxiety can include increased activities like restlessness, pacing, and whining when the owner is not present. Depression and physiological changes such as panting or even vomiting can occur. But short of never leaving your pet's side, how can you avoid increased anxieties in your furry friend?

Professionals report that medications should only be used in extreme cases, and there are many things owners can do to avoid serious situations. Ignoring attention seeking behaviors such as whining and nudging during training is important. Certain departure cues such as picking up keys and purses, or putting on coats and shoes should also be kept as low key as possible or even done in a different room until a pet is desensitized to these cues. Creating a big to-do when leaving a dog at home is common in humans, but this can increase the likeliness of anxieties in pets. 

Upon returning, you of course want to play with your dog immediately, but it can be very helpful to wait until your pet has calmed down a bit to begin playtime. 

K9 Resorts' Doggie Daycare is a “cage-free” environment, designed for dogs that are social with other dogs. Daycare provides an outlet to expend excess energy, socialize, exercise and remain active. Dogs are social animals that need exercise and stimulation, and Doggie Daycare is the best way to provide both! While it is just great fun, this exercise helps curb behavior problems like separation anxiety. Consider bringing your dog to our Doggie Daycare and see if it helps with those canine blues!

Pets a Threat to Gadgets?

TIME recently reported that pets may be a threat to the safety and longevity of your gadgets. Is anyone surprised? Most of you probably have a story of at least a close-call between your dog and an iPad or cell phone.

Eight million electronic devices are harmed by pets each year according to a study sponsored by SquareTrade Inc, a San Francisco company that sells extended warranty plans for consumer electronics. Since you've probably been through several in the past year regardless of your pet's involvement, you won't be surprised to hear that mobiles make up one-third of all devices vandalized by furry friends.

SquareTrade made a few more interesting finds:

• Incidents happened 66% of the time when pets were left alone with the devices in question.
• 17% of the incidents happened when owners believed their pets were "angry" with them.
• Males pets were 50% more likely to damage a device than female pets. 
• Overprotective pets were twice as likely to damage a device. 

Of course, SquareTrade wants you to buy an extended warranty, so their stats include even a lick from your pet, but the study does remind pet owners to be a little more careful with their electronic devices. 

An Unlikely Group

At K9 Resorts, we pride ourselves in being able to accommodate any sized dog with equal love and care, from Great Danes to Chihuahuas. We thought we had seen it all until we came across this video on YouTube of one of the most diverse groups of pets we've ever seen. Sure, a large breed and small breed are not so uncommon in a house. Five dogs? Sure, a little more uncommon, but still not an unheard of mix. Even adding an aloof cat to the group is understandable. Throw in a duck who responds to his name just as alertly as the canines, and suddenly, we're speechless.

Check out this video from Erica Griffith who writes about her pets:

Macho - 8 Year old Toy Xolo

Rex - 11 Year old terrier something

Maya - 7-10 Year old Intermediate Xolo

Dave - 3 Year old standard size Xolo

Bella - 1.5 Year old Harlequin Great Dane

George - 1 Year old female Moscovy Duck

Twiggy - 5 year old Cat

If you are thinking about adding a pet (or another pet) to your family, please look into adoption from either a shelter or a reputable rescue group. You can find lots of animals and rescue groups that will fit exactly what you're looking for at petfinder.com That's what I did :)

Franchisee Spotlight: Bill Ippolito

Bill Ippolito is a New Jersey native with a background in medicine. Having been a physician assistant for the past 10 years, Bill has now transitioned into the corporate world, where he has decided to open a K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Bill is lifelong dog owner and new a dad.  

How did you learn about the brand?

My girlfriend’s (Larisa Citsay- who will be helping me run the business) brother is friends with Jason and Steven Parker, the co-founders of K-9 Resorts.  Their entrepreneurial accomplishments at such a young age really inspired me to invest in opening my own K-9 Resorts.

What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

I am currently a physician assistant, so the business world is somewhat new to me. I knew as a franchisee owner, I would get great help with the process and have instant support on day one and well into the future. 

What makes your business different?

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel is a very well organized and clean facility. Cleanliness is very important for pet owners. K-9 Resorts doesn’t have a distinct pet odor, is incredibly clean and runs efficiently. It is the perfect option for people who need a safe, comfortable place to leave their pets. K-9 Resorts is also a very young franchise, and I am very confident that it will be successful. I thought it would be best to get in early and help them grow.

I have also been a physician assistant for the past 10 years and decided to do something I was truly passionate about.  The career change is an exciting adventure.

What are your expansion or development plans?

Once we open this location, I would love to be able to open a second location in the near future. I am confident in success of this business.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I love dogs. I grew up with a yellow lab and now I have a 5 year old Rottweiler. I am also a new dad! I have a 9 month old son, who consumes a lot of my time. I also enjoy exercising, sports and cars.