NORTH LIBERTY – Every day that Tina Tiainen worked for a dog day care facility, she told herself that if she ever had her own business, she would do things differently.
When that time came, Tina and her husband, Adam, determined that a family farm located just outside of North Liberty would make an ideal location for a dog day care. It offered indoor space that could be modified for dog rooms and plenty of outdoor space for play yards.
Most important, the location is not subject to North Liberty's residential zoning laws that prohibit home-based pet businesses.
‘We're the first house outside of city limits,” Tina said. ‘We have a view of the country, with the convenience of town.”
The couple learned they would have to apply for a special-use permit from Johnson County, but before proceeding, they took three years to develop their business plan.
‘We did all this research,” Tina said. ‘We looked at websites, services, prices, amenities. We had all the business ideas built first.”
Finally, in June 2015, the couple applied for a conditional use permit and started renovating the farmhouse and grounds. But their plans hit a snag.
‘When a permit gets issued, you have six months to go into business or you have to reapply,” Adam said.
With construction not happening as quickly as they'd hoped, the couple took it upon themselves to complete the renovations with the help of family and friends. They built and installed fences, put in a cement floor, and completed drywall work, among other tasks.
‘We had about three weeks to get it all done, but we did it,” Tina said.
They opened Puppy Love Doggie Daycare on Dec. 11.
‘It's a lot different facility than other places,” Tina said. ‘Most are industrial garages with yards made of rock or cement, which creates problems with dogs' paws getting burned. We have natural turf that lets the dogs be around nature and is more hygienic.”
Other features include heated indoor floors, overhead aviary netting to protect small dogs from predators, underground dig-protection fencing, a 16-camera security system, and a variety of play structures.
‘The dogs get fun, exercise and fresh air,” Adam explained.
The couple's current permit allows them to serve up to 30 dogs at a time, in two groups of 15 that are each supervised by an employee.
The two play groups generally are organized by size, with dogs less than 30 pounds in one group and larger dogs in the other. However, some sizes may be mixed based on age and temperament.
A comprehensive screening process determines placement.
‘We try to make good play group matches,” Adam said.
The business also offers shuttle transport, spa services, dog food sales, and at-home boarding.
‘ Know a company that's been in business for less than a year that would be ideal for ‘The Ground Floor”? Contact Michael Chevy Castranova at michaelchevy.castranova@thegazette.com.
At a Glance:
Owners: Adam and Tina Tiainen
Business: Adam and Tina's Puppy Love Doggie Daycare
Address: 2391 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE, North Liberty
Phone: (319)-535-3861
Website: <URL destination=”http://www.PuppyLoveNL.com%0D”>www.PuppyLoveNL.com
</URL>Facebook: www.facebook.com/PuppyLoveNL
Tina and Adam Tiainen pose for a photo as they spend time with dogs in their care at their business Adam and Tina's Puppy Love Doggie Daycare, 2391 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE, in North Liberty, Iowa, on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
A dog runs through a tunnel as it gets some exercise at Tina and Adam Tiainen's business Adam and Tina's Puppy Love Doggie Daycare, 2391 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE, in North Liberty, Iowa, on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Adam Tiainen plays with a couple with dogs in his care at the business he operates with his wife Tina at Adam and Tina's Puppy Love Doggie Daycare, 2391 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE, in North Liberty, Iowa, on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Christina Kurtenbach gets a dog to run up a ramp as she plays with dogs at Adam and Tina's Puppy Love Doggie Daycare, 2391 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE, in North Liberty, Iowa, on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Tina Tiainen gets dogs to run as she spends time with dogs in her care at her business with her husband Adam at Adam and Tina's Puppy Love Doggie Daycare, 2391 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE, in North Liberty, Iowa, on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Tina Tiainen gets a dog to leap into the air as she and Adam Tiainen spend time with dogs in their care at their business Adam and Tina's Puppy Love Doggie Daycare, 2391 Mehaffey Bridge Rd. NE, in North Liberty, Iowa, on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
