Our Story
Our Best Friends Deserve The Best
Our story begins where you are right now:
searching for a dog daycare near Westerville Ohio.
We tried several different daycares for our pups, but none of them were a great fit.
At some daycares, our four-legged friend was kenneled most of the day, so he came home FULL of energy.
But with the "free play" doggy daycares, he came home dirty and absolutely exhausted - and sometimes with scrapes and bruises too...
Who has time to come home after a long day with their own feet barking and give their dog a bath, or exercise them, or worry they got into a scuffle?
In a human daycare, kids spend their day learning and doing activities. The focus is on education and growth. They get to play too, of course - but not all day!
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There had to be a better way.
A New Standard of Dog Daycare
After some research, we discovered the Enrichment philosophy. We weren't the first to have this idea - in fact, canine experts across the US have been saying that all-day play might not be the best thing for our pups for a while now.
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This new dog care model focuses on quality off-leash playtime, smaller groups, enriching activities, and basic training instead of just stuffing them into a kennel or letting them run wild chasing tails.
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The result: your friend comes home happy-tired instead of exhausted - and you get to rest easy after work or travel knowing your best furry friend is clean, healthy, happy - and maybe even a little bit smarter too!
So, we got our certifications and started running a small dog daycare 2.0 out of our home during the pandemic. Demand quickly grew, and in 2022 we quit our day jobs and opened our first flagship luxury dog daycare in Westerville Ohio :
Sterling K-9 Retreat!
How are we the new standard?
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Bring Healthcare to the K9 Industry.
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Bringing a better choice in dog care
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Creating a social outlet to help Properly Socialize our Fur'babys
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Give compensation that represents the skills needed for our team's craft.
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Giving the community something that could only be found outside Ohio until now.
How we got the name, Sterling?
We spent a long time searching for the perfect name for Sterling, aiming for one with meaningful significance. Initially, we used "Happy Paws" as a placeholder, but it didn't align with our vision. After a few months, Reilly shared an inspiring story about a family and their dream.
The story is set in Albion, a town with a rich history, known for its enchanting bookstore. This bookstore, filled with towering shelves and dusty treasures, captivated visitors with its charm. The bookstore was a beloved community hub, run by a retired couple who cherished their mornings there, enjoying coffee and reading.
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As the couple aged, they sought someone who would preserve the bookstore's essence. They met a couple with a dream to revitalize the store, and after several discussions, decided to sell it to them. The couple, determined to honor the store's legacy, renamed it "Sterling Books and Brew," blending a bookstore with a cozy coffee shop and study space for local children.
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During the remodeling, a 12-foot bookshelf fell on the wife, causing a severe injury that left her potentially unable to walk again. Despite this setback, they chose to fight for her recovery and their dream. The community, college, and businesses rallied together, demonstrating profound support and love.
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If you ever visit Albion, stop by Sterling Books and Brew and share that Sterling sent you. Give them a big thanks for inspiring us and supporting our passion for Sterling.