Ranger went on vacation - I went to training!

This photo was taken at Ruff-Inn-It in Mount Zion, IL. My super Velcro 12-year-old Beauceron service dog stayed at Ruff-In-It three times after he retired and I was training my new recruit. The first time he looked a little unsure, but the staff was so well versed and experienced, they walked him off with no fuss - perfect for me. They listened to all my concerns (I was a nervous wreck! He’d never been separated from me except with my mom and only for a couple hours!!)

The second day, the owner sent me this photo and said he was doing great! Played well in camp time, eating his food, playing with his toys, and, yep, sleeping with his blanket.

The next two times we stayed there? They remembered who his favorite handler was, brought her right out and he didn’t look back as soon as he saw her! It was like “mom? Mom who? I gots friends to see!” He was happy to see me when I came to get him, of course, but I have no doubt he’d have been just fine if he’d stayed a few days.

To tell you how they put the clients first, they called me while I was in NJ for my aunts memorial service in fall of 2020. It turned out Ranger would be running out of his medication before we got home. They wanted to know what they could do to help make sure that didn’t happen.

After several phone calls between my vet and them, I paid for the medication with my vet and then had someone in Charleston who could pick it up (on a Saturday morning) before the clinic closed and bring it to Ruff-Inn-It before *they* closed! — All of this, and there was no additional fee, they just wanted to be sure he stayed healthy and comfortable.

I am extremely careful with my dogs. I don’t leave them with friends or dog sitters, I love my people but there are a million things that can go wrong and I rarely trust anyone if an accident or emergency happens.

If I had an occasion to need to board a dog again, Ruff-In-It would be my first and only option in Central IL. They get ample time to play indoors and/or out. Their rooms are immaculate and spacious. They are given love and attention (sometimes more attention than if they were home and I was working!). I know their meds are given on schedule. Food and treats are given just as I would and when I would. They get all the stimulation I would give (sniffing, digging, mental engagement and chewing) as well as size/age appropriate dog/dog socialization and interactions which are carefully supervised with trained employees.

I can’t overstate what an amazing place this is. You won’t be sorry if you bring your pet to board there!