Today we’d like to introduce you to Jody Brussard.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was a dog trainer for several years, and I saw how difficult it was for people to properly socialize their dogs. In order to have a friendly, confident dog, you must introduce them to all different kinds of things as puppies – different humans, dogs, noises, and scenarios. You have to teach them when they’re young how to play nicely, how to greet people, how to share. That was my inspiration for opening a puppy school. I wanted a place where puppies could learn to be nice, happy, friendly dogs. We work on potty training, “inside voices”, gentle play, sharing everything from food to toys, and most importantly how to interact with humans. Our puppies learn that people are their friends!
The other thing I noticed was how important it is for people to interact with dogs. That’s why I wanted my puppy school to be open to the public. People can come in and spend time with the puppies, to play or snuggle or just watch them. That’s why I called it Dog Therapy. One of the most incredible parts of starting this business has been watching the way dogs help people feel better.
Basically I invented the perfect job so I could have it.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve only been open a year, and it was pretty scary at first. To my knowledge no one has ever opened a business like mine, so it was hard to predict if it would even work. Traditional doggy daycares are meant to host as many dogs as possible, but since mine is more of a training facility, it’s on a much smaller scale. What if no one visited?
What if they visited but I didn’t have puppies to visit? But to be honest the response has been so positive, right from the beginning. So even when I had no idea what I was doing or if this was possible, I had people telling me it was a great idea, that this was going to work. I’m now at the point where I believe it.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Dog Therapy story. Tell us more about the business.
There are a number of dog daycares, but most don’t accept puppies. Generally a dog has to be fixed/neutered in order to attend. And while daycare is a terrific way to burn off energy and let dogs play with their friends, it’s not usually a training experience. I’ve tailored my business to cater exclusively to puppies. In order to enroll a pup must be under six months, so they have a chance to really absorb it all. Every day we host up to twelve babies, and I usually have an adult dog to help. They’re chosen because they really love puppies and people, and they serve as an example to the little ones. Humans come in every day and play with them, so the puppies get to meet every kind of person. We have a terrific view of the outside, so they learn not to bark at cars, passers-by, squirrels, yard work, etc. We learn to greet people without barking or jumping, and how not to bite too hard on the humans. I also try to expose them to anything that might scare them later, from medical equipment to umbrellas to vacuum cleaners. I want every puppy to become a happy, confident dog, because those are the best kind to live with. I want to prevent any problems they might have down the road, so they can live long happy lives with their people.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’ve been incredibly lucky in the people I’ve met since starting my business. The nice thing about dog parents is that when they find something they like for their pup, they are loyal. And they tell other people about it. I had the same experience as a trainer – word of mouth is everything with pet care. And my clients have been so amazing. I’ve also met some of the nicest people in the world of dog rescue and even mental health through this business. I feel very lucky to be able to do this job. In fact I think it makes up for whatever bad luck I may have had in the past.
Also I have an amazing sister, Kali, who has helped a lot with this. And also everything else I’ve done. So I’m pretty lucky for that.
Pricing:
- Puppy School: One Day $35 / Five Days $150
- Visits: $10 per person
Contact Info:
- Address: Dog Therapy
90 Linden St
Waltham MA 02452 - Website: www.dogtherapyboston.com
- Phone: 781-609-7792
- Email: info@dogtherapyboston.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/dogtherapyboston
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/dog-therapy-waltham
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