The Dog Spot

      The mission of K9 Advantage is to improve the lives of dogs in our area through training, wellness and fitness as well as owner education.  I currently offer obedience training and canine Physical Therapy though I am looking to expand my service line based on demand in the area.  I started this business January 2020 when a dog came into our lives who needed some intensive behavior modification and there was no one near us to help.  We traveled 4 hours for a 1 hour appointment for 7 weeks to help this dog which led me into exploring dog training and ultimately getting my certification. Shortly after completing my certification we were impacted by COVID closures and I started purusing my Canine Rehabilitation Therapist Certification.

     Our new programing would include training and testing for Therapy Dogs and a variety of dog sports including Rally, Flyball and Agility. In regards to Therapy Dog Programs, currently the closest training facility is 35 miles away and only has someone who comes 1 time per month for evaluations.  I could perform these evaluations for our community members who would like to take their dog to local hospitals, nursing homes, schools, ect as a therapy dog.  In regards to dog sports, there are no classes for Rally or Agility offered within 40 miles and not within 87 miles for Flyball.  Not only do these sports provide training, teambuilding and energy outlets for dogs but they can provide additional income to the community through hosting events that would draw participants from surrounding cities.  Canine rehabilitation is relatively new branch of Physical Therapy that can decrease pain, improve function and mobility of dogs suffering from arthritis, deconditioning, injury or surgery.  The closest canine rehabilitation facility at this time is over 90 miles away in Madison.  By combining canine rehabilitation, dog training and dog sports into one facility this places us at a unique advantage to provide a large variety of services to a very under-served rural community. Combining these services and expanding our facility would also allow me to hire additional staff brining jobs to the area and hosting sporting or competition events would bring competitors from surrounding cities to help improve the local economy as well.  

      The money raised would be used toward the cost of building a new facility.  This facility would be an 68x100 pole type building with an indoor training and canine rehabilitation area.  Fully finished it would have rolled rubber flooring over concrete floors to decrease the impact on dogs joints and improve traction.  2 large overhead doors at the back of the building will be used to move equipment in and out of the building and the exterior 100x100 fenced grass area can be used to host agility trials or training events. 2 smaller fenced areas on the side of the building would be used as dog training and private dog park rental space.  The finished building along with parking lot estimate is $510,000.  

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Ashley