Amanda Hamm

Mon, 05/16/2011 – 07:00 | Reston Patch Contributor Amanda Hamm

Cheryl Smith has spent her life surrounded by stray and adopted pets.

Smith’s mother was the inspiration behind her desire to train and rescue animals. Smith remembers her mother always wanting to adopt the oldest, sickest dog in the shelter that no one else wanted.

Smith has taken her passion for animals to the next step by opening a doggy day care center as a way of caring for dogs and keeping them well trained and out of the animal shelter.

Her business, Dog Play Afternoon, opened its doors to the canine public on Feb 1. Dog Play Afternoon is located in the Tall Oaks Shopping Center, close to walking trails. That makes it a perfect place for dogs to get much needed exercise.

“It is important to keep dogs on a regular schedule,” said Smith. “Taking the dogs outside reinforces training the owners have already established. If dogs are taught to relieve themselves outdoors, it can be confusing for them to be in a place where they aren’t taken out during the day.”

Smith said she wanted to set herself apart from other dog care centers, where pets are sometimes kept in cages. Her center has one cage, but it is only used as a quiet place for dogs who might be tired or agitated, and need some alone time.

Otherwise, all of the dogs are allowed to roam free in a large communal area with toys to play with and boxes to jump over. The center provides beds for the dogs to sleep on during nap time, which takes place each day from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Smith also said there weren’t any small dog day care services in Reston when she made plans to start her business. There were several larger franchises and some in-home pet walkers, but there was no place an owner could drop off their pet on their way to work.

Smith can take her dog to work with her, too. Smith’s pet Cocker Spaniel, Stella, is a fixture at the center. Smith says Stella loves making new friends.

New patrons are required to schedule an initial three-hour appointment where the dog is monitored for aggressiveness and their reaction to the other animals at the center. Dog Play Afternoon has a page on Facebook where owners can watch videos and see pictures of their pet’s first day.

“There is a huge overpopulation issue in shelters and 95 percent of those animals are left by people who don’t have the time or patience to take care of the pet,” said Smith. “If I can make one difference and offer a place where dogs can learn to socialize, then that pet won’t end up in a shelter.”

(Original article can be viewed online at http://reston.patch.com/articles/new-tall-oaks-doggie-day-care-offers-free-range-fun)

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