The Animal Lodge

Even as a young child, Theresa had a penchant for seeking out animals in need. Her parents and relatives can endlessly recount stories of her rescue attempts, which continued until her husband, Earl, emphatically insisted that three dogs were enough in the family. Earl had not seen the last of Theresa’s passion, however; she eventually left her career in the computer industry, and the two teamed up to open The Animal Lodge. Though it proved to be hard work, Theresa convincingly describes the benefits of her new profession: "We come to work in the morning and instead of seeing a bunch of grumpy people who have not had their coffee yet, we see wagging tails, licking tongues, and happy dances in everyone we meet."

Today, the duo works together to keep pets in comfort with daycare and overnight boarding facilities complete with heated floors during the winter, air conditioning during the summer, and a fenced-in yard for outdoor playtime. In addition to the regular bunks, the deluxe wilderness lodge—furnished with a bed, a chair, a television set, and mounted antlers rife with chew marks—recreates the comfortable atmosphere of home for nervous pooches. Groomer Nancy Oberg draws on her canine cosmetology training to round out the lodge’s services with baths, trims, and deep-tissue belly rubs.