Pet Services in Jollyville

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Lauded as the Austin area's Best Veterinarian by the Austin Chronicle in 2010, Westlake Animal Hospital helps to better the lives of pawed patients with preventative care fine-tuned over four decades in business and carried out by eight veterinarians. After entering through the dog- or cat-only waiting room, each pooch, feline, gerbil, or animorph sits and stays for a thorough examination of the skin, the ears, the eyes, and the teeth. Vets then peer into pets' inner workings by taking vital signs and assessing the effects of any extra weight on a pet's frame. Each 30- to 40-minute appointment affords time to go over any lingering health concerns, ask nutritional questions, and show off pets' best Buddy Holly impressions with one of Westlake's animal aces.

The quiet hanging over 20 acres of white kentucky fence-lined prairie is broken with the opening chords of a power ballad. Lori Ragland is in a light-rock kind of mood today, and has chosen the soundtrack for the afternoon’s riding lessons accordingly. Finding this balance between the serenity of nature and ebullience of horseback riding is key to Lori’s approach to providing a controlled yet supportive learning environment for all of her pupils. A seasoned equestrienne who started her riding career at the tender age of 5, she strongly believes that a rider should possess a solid knowledge of riding safety and horse anatomy before stepping into the stirrups, which is why much time is spent with beginners reviewing these basics. Lori and her equally passionate crew of instructors pride themselves on their almost preternatural ability to pair up riders with their perfect steeds. They carefully analyze each rider’s disposition, comfort level, and fluency in colloquial neighing before matching them with a well-tempered mount from their fleet of 32 predominantly arabian horses.

Founded by dog trainer Jaime Van Wye, Zoom Room works to strengthen the bond between humans and canines of all ages and pedigree with fun and educational training courses. Zoom Room specializes in dog agility training, a burgeoning sport on the competitive canine scene that trains dogs by guiding them under, over, and through gymnastic obstacles. During timed runs, pooches playfully navigate the course, which ultimately results in improved strength, coordination, and balance. Instructors also lead obedience training classes for dogs of all ages, which can help improve behavior and ensure dogs stop jumping up on furniture and wearing white fur coats after Labor Day. Using a scientifically proven method of positive reinforcement, owners reward dogs with verbal praise and treats for successfully completing commands such as "sit," "stay," and "screen phone call." Additionally, Zoom Room’s schedule of classes includes doggy tricks training, puppy training, and therapy dog training.

For four decades, the family-owned Cactus Pryor's Canine Hilton Boarding Kennel has lodged and pampered pets on a six-acre spread of land. Accredited by the Pet Care Services Association for going above and beyond the role of gracious host, the kennel accommodates its guests with climate-controlled indoor and outdoor suites, blankets, organic food (including homegrown catnip for felines), and continuously monitored water bowls. Classical music piped into the kennels puts cats and dogs at ease, and a 15,000-square-foot play yard permits canines to romp among a selection of toys.

The animal-loving technicians interact with their charges regularly to keep them from growing bored, and can administer grooming services to prevent pets from growing soul patches and starting blues bands. Obedience training and daycare visits also ensure that pups remain active, yet aware of social etiquette.

Bobbi Colorado and her husband Ken Beggs watched as their sly raccoon protégé crept across the room just as they had taught him. Having reached the whirring treadmill's power source, he yanked the cord out of the wall, sending actor Brendan Fraser flying over the top of the machine mid-sprint. The raccoon—who filmed this scene for 2010's Furry Vengeance —is just one of many animal actors mentored by the husband-and-wife team, who have been training domestic and exotic critters for more than 35 years through their business The Wild Bunch.

Often disappointed by the kennels they visited to find dogs for their projects, the pair decided that they would open a better one themselves. They soon set up Bobbi Colorado's Canine Camp on their 10-acre property, building six spacious tree-shaded play yards and large sleeping quarters. The camp is designed to be "a safe, fun, happy place, so when you go away, it's your dog's vacation too," says Colorado. During stays, canines play together outside or nap in the sun while under 24-hour-a-day supervision. The staff members also post photos and videos of the frolicking pooches online so that their owners can check up on them. In addition to boarding, the camp also offers training classes to teach dogs basic obedience or train them for work in movies, commercials, and print ads.

Besides their pet boarding business, Colorado and Beggs' love for animals drives them to train rescue animals for roles, often saving them from euthanization. For the movie Secondhand Lions, for instance, Colorado recruited pigs from a slaughterhouse, and afterward sent them on to work with autistic children through an animal-therapy program.