Terry Tupper 4-Paws Boarding Kennel

You are getting ready for vacation and have decided that the family dog will not be going with. Or your pet does not enjoy staying at home by himself while you are at work all day. Perhaps you have an illness that requires you to travel for your treatment and you will have to be away from your dog for a few days. Maybe you are visiting a friend with your dog and you are from out of town only to discover that your host is allergic to dogs. Or instead of the family dog needing a place to stay, perhaps he is a little unruly and needs some help in practicing good manners. What are you going to do with your ever-faithful companion? These are some of the many dilemmas Terry Tupper of 4-Paws Boarding Kennel solves for dog owners.

For as long as she can remember Terry a struggling single-parent mother, has had a love for dogs and especially golden retrievers. While working at a factory job, she was injured on the job. Her injury forced her to leave that job and she was sent to tech college by the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to retrain. Terry went to college to study accounting, but "I decided that I am way too antsy to sit behind a desk," says Tupper an energetic and spry woman. That is when she realized that she could turn her love of dogs into a viable business.

Tupper opened the kennel doors of 4-Paws Boarding Kennel in November of 1996. Approximately a year and a half before she opened the doors to her facility, Terry began to plan and develop her business with the help of the Western Dairyland Business Center. After finding out about the market and doing her research, she started the process of rezoning her property by having the property surveyed and then dividing it into two parts. One section is for her home but the other section had to be rezoned for business use.

Rezoning meant that Tupper needed to get permission from the town board. She needed to garner evidence that her business would enhance the community. Tupper gathered testimonials from businesses that complemented hers such as veterinarians. Following the town board approval, she had to do the same procedure again with the county board. As a woman, Terry had twice as much difficulty convincing the county board that she was completely qualified to be the general contractor for her commercial building that would house her kennel. The rezoning process took approximately six months to complete.

Terry did not sit idle while waiting to get approval. Many details still needed to be worked out including facility design and financing for the project. Terry designed the building where the dogs are boarded. Close attention was paid to every detail to ensure that the family pets left in her charge would be as comfortable, safe and happy as possible. One of the unique features of her facility is that it has in-floor heating to keep the pets more comfortable in cold weather. Other features include 20 spacious stalls and groomed walking trails for the dogs on 2.8 acres two miles west of Blair in scenic Trempeleau County, Wisconsin.

With business plan and facility design in hand Tupper began to look for financing. After approaching several banks, Terry was finally able to get a loan through the Union Bank of Blair. Although the original plans were downsized, she was approved for a loan with a Small Business Administration guarantee.

Terry gives each pet the personal attention they deserve. Before a dog is boarded at the facility, Tupper requires verification from the owner that the pet's immunizations are up to date. Upon arrival Tupper takes pictures of the dogs. One picture she keeps for herself and the other goes home with the dog. When the family pet is at her facility, Tupper performs a daily care ritual. "Dogs like to have a routine that they can follow, that way they know what to expect," says Tupper. The dogs are walked at least twice a day and are petted, brushed and played with. Meals consist of high quality food, or the owner may bring food from home. Tupper also encourages owners to bring along personal toys or bedding. "Items from home give the dog a feeling of security, especially if they are here for the first time," explains Tupper.

Last year the new training facility opened. Now the business has expanded and funding for the facility was secured through another loan. Tupper designed this building too, and again paid close attention to the details. For example, the floor in the training area is covered with a skid resistant surface. This keeps the pet from sliding and possibly injuring itself when it is running on the floor. Currently she offers training three nights a week plus training on Saturdays. During the summer she also offers puppy training. Lessons are either in a group setting or private.

From a love of dogs and a need to create a safe and friendly environment for family pets, Terry Tupper has developed a livelihood that not only supports her, but has also enhances the lives of dog owners and the lives of family pets as well.