Pet paradise

Basenji siblings Artemis and Apollo enjoy the peanutty Elvis ice cream at Tails at the Barkery in Cocoa Village. ADAM PALUMBO
Brevard offers fetching array of boutique services for furry friends

Pam Shaia, owner of Tails at the Barkery, personally bakes the pet treats her furry customers crave. She even bakes special treats for dogs with allergies. TAILS AT THE BARKERY
Apollo and Artemis are two lucky dogs, for they live in the canine wonderland of the Space Coast. Several times a week, the two Basenjis enjoy a long car ride from their West Melbourne home to visit Tails at the Barkery — a dog bakery in Cocoa Village. That’s where their human, Marine veteran Ray Gallimore, indulges them with custom treats, and Elvis peanut butter, banana and bacon ice cream.
“I don’t mind the drive, because I don’t buy treats anywhere else,” Gallimore said. “As soon as I turn the corner, the dogs get all excited because they know where they are going.”
The pet industry — particularly boutique services such as Tails at the Barkery — is thriving. According to the American Pet Products Association, the industry is expected to enjoy more than $150 billion in sales this year. Tails at the Barkery owner Pam Shaia, who will celebrate her store’s 10th anniversary this January, provides the personalized service and products pet parents appreciate.
“She knows the name of every dog that comes into the store,” Gallimore said.
While pet treats are easily accessible at big box retailers and pet stores, as well as online, Shaia has found a niche that’s eager for natural, fresh and locally sourced treats.
“I am the baker,” Shaia said, adding that she is gearing up for plenty of holiday cooking to keep her canine customers satisfied. Her treats run the gamut from cheesy bacon twists to special alligator-shaped blueberry dog cookies that pups with allergies can safely enjoy. “I worked on recipes with a mentor to get them perfect,” she explained.
The Barkery also carries locally sourced dog gear such as the custom collars Apollo and Artemis sport. Shaia didn’t forget the kitties: she offers feline treats as well as locally sourced catnip. A percentage of sales is donated to 20 or so rescue groups. Tails at the Barkery also sponsors monthly events, usually at Dirty Oar Beer Company, to benefit specific rescue organizations.

Early in 2024, Scenthound opened the first of three planned Brevard “scenters,” which offer pet parents Monthly Care Club memberships to keep their fur babies smelling and feeling great. The service addresses each dog’s skin, coat, ears, nails and teeth. SCENTHOUND
WHAT’S IN A NAME
But there are other local business owners happy to make life sweeter — and sometimes, sweeter smelling — for Brevard pets. Earlier this year, Scenthound opened the first of three planned “scenters” in the area at Post Commons Shopping Center in Melbourne. The company, which has 250 franchises and corporate-owned locations in 24 states, uses a wellness-based approach to care for pups’ skin, coat, ears, nails and teeth — or S.C.E.N.T.
“We focus on routine hygiene and wellness care for all dogs, such as bathing, teeth brushing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning,” said Chris Denault, one of three partners in the new endeavor. “We go beyond the scope of grooming and haircuts to educate pet parents on routine dog care and provide a six-point wellness check after each visit, so they are in the know about their pup’s well-being.”
Scenthound’s Monthly Care Club memberships range from $39 to $69; its core package includes a bath with towel-dry, ear cleaning, nail trim, teeth brushing and a six-point wellness check. From there, customers can add unlimited core packages with reduced-cost add-ons, such as blow-outs, barbering, plaque reduction, conditioning, shedding treatments, facial scrubs, problem skin treatments and more.
“Scenthound changes the dog wellness game and allows clients to really personalize their experience with membership plans,” Denault said.
WALK IT OFF

Jessica Montero of Jog Pup Mobile Dog Gym customizes canine workouts for her clients. Some clients are scheduled for a weekly 30-minute workout. JOG PUP PHOTOS
For owners who may not have the time or preference to walk the family dog, Jog Pup Mobile Dog Gym comes directly to the home. The climate-controlled van houses low-resistance, low-impact, pup-powered treadmills that allow the canines to set their own pace, under the guidance of an enthusiastic pup-fitness coach during 30-minute sessions. The service helps release pent-up energy that could otherwise result in destructive behavior.
Owner Jessica Montero got the idea for the service from her own pups.
“I knew they needed exercise,” Montero said. “But with the Florida temperatures, they can get easily overheated outside. So, I purchased a treadmill and they loved it,”
When she went pro, two years ago, she was amazed at the reception her service enjoyed. “Our books were full within four months,” she said.
While most customers schedule a weekly visit, many call on Jog Pup several times a week. Auggie, for example, has logged more than 800 miles. She clocks 7 or 8 miles at a time on the treadmill, and the Australian shepherd/poodle mix can’t get enough of it. Neither can tiny Toby, a Yorkie whose little legs happily propel him through 3 miles of exercise.
“Once the dog figures out the treadmill, they don’t need the motivation,” Montero said.
Dogs who are reactive or anxious during walks can exercise in their own personal bubble and do so at their pace and out of the elements, with no burnt paws from scorching pavement. An individual mileage log helps pooches earn milestone rewards. Every session includes photos and videos of the dog in action.
“Our dogs had the absolute best time getting in some exercise on the treadmills,” noted Alyssa Turner in a review of the service.
Brevard is also home to SwiftPaws, manufacturer of Chase! lure courses for in-home use. CEO and founder Meghan Wolfram started her company with Kickstarter, went on to achieve fame and fortune on Shark Tank and, earlier this year, was named a finalist in the Purina Pet Care Innovation Prize competition.

The gym goes to the dogs, literally, with Jog Pup Mobile Dog Gym.

While their humans are out of town, pets can enjoy a pampered staycation at the VIP Suites of Merritt Island’s Bed & Biscuit pet hotel, which features themed room art, television, climate control, a ceiling fan and private patio.BREVARD HUMANE SOCIETY
LUXURY STAYS
Brevard pets can luxuriate at a growing list of pet resorts when their humans leave town. Brevard Bed & Biscuit promises to “give your fur-baby the luxury they deserve.” Brevard Humane Society launched the Merritt Island pet resort three years ago to help fund their shelter operations. The interest it has generated — thanks to its private themed suites, dedicated “playcare” and more — has been overwhelming.
“It’s been eye-opening how in need the public is of services like this,” said Gina Laurenzi, manager of the society’s Cocoa campus.
Unlike many kennels, the resort is manned 24/7 to accommodate check-ins and check-outs throughout the day — and reassure pet parents that their furry best friends have constant supervision. The pet hotel offers climate-controlled junior, standard, deluxe and VIP suites for canine companions. There are luxurious “catios” for feline friends. In addition to being the height of pet luxury, the VIP suites have themes, such as space and cruising. They feature ceiling fans, private patios, television sets to keep dogs company, plus a webcam for humans to see what their pets are up to at any time of the day.
“We like to call it a staycation for your pet,” Laurenzi added.
Brevard’s boutique pet services enjoy a reputation that extends well beyond the borders of the county. Laurenzi notes that customers — many of them pilots, flight attendants and cruise ship personnel — travel from throughout Central Florida to check their pets in to Bed & Biscuit; Shaia has regular customers for her natural treats from as far away as Port St. Lucie and even Miami.
“The enduring emotional connection between humans and their pets remains deep,” said Peter Scott, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association.
“Pets’ quality of life has become a top priority for owners, as an overwhelming majority believe that their pets bring them happiness and emotional support.”
Apollo, Artemis and their human heartily agree.

Maria Sonnenberg
Maria is a prolific writer and proofer for Space Coast Living and an adjunct professor at Florida Institute of Technology’s Nathan M. Bisk College of Business. When not writing, teaching or traveling, she can be found waging a one-woman war against her lawn and futilely attempting to maintain order among the chaos of a pack of extremely clueless wirehair dachshunds and an angst-driven basset hound.