Pet Services in Larkspur

While Spot Pet Care's canine clientele may not appreciate the shop’s attractive displays of goodies, they'll enjoy their contents as well as the affections from Spot's head groomer, Catherine. Styling sessions begin in the facility's stainless-steel, eco-friendly bathtubs with ergonomic contours that help keep dogs comfortable and organic shampoo mixed with just enough water. A window allows full views of the separate grooming room, letting owners watch as groomers make wild manes more manageable. Pups who are especially good or especially spoiled can sniff out a reward in Spot Pet Care's fully stocked canine general store filled with hormone-free treats, fetching collars, interactive toys, and books containing the home addresses of every mailman in town. Lovers of all four-legged friends, Spot Pet Care groomers reserve every second Sunday for cat grooming appointments.

From the age of 10, Jenny Alphin has spent her life around horses. After gathering grand-champion trophies as a junior competitor, she went on to earn a degree in therapeutic recreation, combining her expert horsemanship with her talent for working with children. As head instructor at Hoofbeats Riding School, she imbues each of her one-on-one lessons with this lifetime of expertise, tailoring her directives to the student’s particular needs and interests.

To build confident, well-rounded riders, she starts youngsters out with the basics, rather than jumping right to galloping through mountain creeks in full John Wayne costume. Riders must first learn how to handle, lead, and care for their horse before getting into the saddle, which helps facilitate a healthy relationship between horse and rider. They also start off riding bareback so they can use their body language to communicate with the horse directly, without the aid of saddles, reins, or bridle-mounted walkie-talkies.

Horses graze on the hillsides of the 200-acre valley at Shamrock Ranch, and tail-wagging guests enjoy the coastal breeze during long leash walks. Led by trainer Lisa Nava Rhodes, the Shamrock Ranch team cares for pets while practicing training methods that encourage healthy relationships with owners. The team also hosts overnight stays in their climate-controlled kennels or kitty condos, feeding pets with owner-provided food or Shamrock Ranch's own hypoallergenic treats. Top Performance oatmeal shampoo revives coats during grooming services, and dogs can enjoy brush outs and nail trimmings after getting bathed and listening to gossip about neighborhood squirrels.

Tucked into the hills of Rancho Corral de Tierra lies Ocean View Farms, where sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean combine with the expertise of Agnes Sadeghi, an instructor accredited by the Certified Horsemanship Association, to attract equine enthusiasts for lessons and trail rides. Agnes brings a lifetime of experience to the farm, as she began to ride at the age of 6 and went on to master British horsemanship exams as a teen—earlier than most riders and just after most centaurs. Her goal for students is to turn them into independent riders through dressage and jumping lessons conducted atop palomino paint horses and arabian thoroughbreds. Beginning riders can show off advancing skills on Two for Trail rides through the hills of Rancho Corral de Tierra and McNee Ranch State Park, whereas more advanced riders can take on longer, more difficult routes.

Fluff and Puff Dog Wash mirrors a human spa in that it strives to pamper, not merely clean, its clients. Groomers consult with owners before they brandish scissors, designing custom haircuts for each animal. Staff members also double as cleanup crews at self-service tubs. After owners bathe their dogs with specialized shampoos for puppies, parasite prevention, and dogs with dry skin, the cleaners sop up residual grime. When owners are too busy to clean their own pups, these crews intervene with pickup and drop-off services. During daycare visits, supervisors stand by as dogs cavort through an indoor playground, rescue children from local wells, or recline on couches in front of dog-oriented movies.

As founder of Four Star Farm, Natalie Rooney Pitts instills proper horsemanship techniques in each rider, whether they’re saddling up for simple enjoyment or dreaming of one day prancing onto the Olympic podium. Natalie and her team of trainers introduce new equestrians to the sport via lessons that allow students of all ages and experience levels to take the reins without having to own their own enchanted rocking horse. Atop one of the farm’s fully trained mounts, pupils learn the techniques of English-style riding—including eventing, dressage, and show jumping—while building self-confidence and a mutual respect among man, animal, and belt buckle. The ranch also offers boarding and training services, and youngsters can take part in camps and club events offered throughout the year.