20 | VIPPensacola.com
photos by
Jared Barrow &Kristina Wright
|
story by
Grant Hutchinson
T
he fi rst time Buster visited Olive Branch Hospital’s Play n
Stay Luxury Boarding, he was shaking and scared. But his
fears quickly disappeared.
These days, when Buster realizes he’s going to Play
n Stay, his excitement can hardly be contained. The nine-year-old
miniature schnauzer waits by the door of his house, glancing back and
forth to his owner, as if to say, “Can we please leave now?”
Once Buster gets inside Play n Stay and his leash is undone, he
takes off like a cannon shot, jumping into the loving arms of manager
Willy Risner or whomever happens to be the closest staff member.
“One of my favorite parts of my job is when a dog comes in and is
nervous,” Risner said. “But then after a day or two, sometimes just an
hour, they start to get comfortable. They realize this place isn’t bad
and begin to play with the other dogs and the staff.”
It’s hard to blame Buster for his initial fright. He’d had bad
experiences with boarding in the past, staying at other Pensacola
kennels where he was left in a cage all day and rarely let outside.
But after just that initial visit, Buster learned what so many other
area pets have—Play n Stay is different, and it’s the last place anyone
would describe as a “kennel.”
At the Davis Hwy facility, pets like Buster have the freedom to run
and play outside often, grouped with other dogs that match their size
and temperament. He receives regular attention from staff and gets to
lounge in cage-free comfort when it’s time to relax.
A pleasure to visit for animals and owners alike, Play n Stay is
well lit and decorated with pretty pastel shades and custom-painted
artwork. Many of the boarding rooms have cute names like “Woof
Way Inn” and “Doggie House Deli.”
Play n Stay began as the dream of owner and veterinarian Dr. Mark
Sprayberry, who purchased the property with plans for three new
facilities—a pet hospital, an overnight boarding house, and an animal
daycare center.
Boarding is boring. Let them Play n Stay instead.
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4/30/19 7:32 AM