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A PET’SULTIMATEPLAYGROUND!By Kathi HolzschuherWhen you think of country club life, what comes to mind? Acres of beautiful landscaping with a pool, spa, gym, and a pro shop? Do you think about a membershipthat gets you all the privileges? Dogs dream like that, too! So Catherine Laria founded K9 Country Club and Training Academy in Bulverde, Texas.Patterning her business after a human country club, Catherine drew on her experience as a former social director and tournament coordinator for a private club in San Antonio. She wanted pets to experience country club life while their humans were away. So, she created just that. Full-service salon? K9 Country Club has that! Workout area? Got it! Pool? Yup! Pro Shop? Oh yeah! Sports? You know it! Membership? YES!K9 Country Club was born out of Catherine’s own experience with kennel boarding. Her pups would return home after a stay, and she could tell they were exhausted because they hadn’t slept much and a bit stressed out. “It was heartbreaking,” says Catherine. “So, I wanted to create something as close to them being at home as possible-maybe even better!”K9 Country Club has so much to offer, not just to dogs but to cats and humans too. Among the various services and specializations are a pet bakery, daycare, overnight care (for both dogs and cats), full-service grooming, in-house training, and a lagoon for swimming. In addition there is professional training, from beginner to competition, in various sports and obedience.All kennels are climate controlled with indoor and outdoor access. Catherine recommends a daycare experience before a longer overnight stay to give the pup a feel for things. An evaluation takes place before their stay to determine their likes and dislikes and how to best accommodate them during their stay.“We don’t have breed or alter restrictions because each pet has a private kennel while staying with us and doesn’t have to participate in group play,” she explains. “Our only restriction is that we can’t accept dogs with human aggression issues.”Speaking of group play...That applies to both daycare AND overnight stays! With 11 outdoor playpens and exercise areas, a beach club, and a playground, dogs get plenty of play (exercise-shhh-don’t tell them). Dogs mustbe current on all shots, including canine cough at least seven days before arrival to stay at K9 Country Club.Of course kitties are welcome too! Because they are so extraordinary, they have their own private cattery, complete with a water fountain, jungle trees, and all the comforts kitties require, including soothing music and air purifier.The Beach Club is where canines and their humans enjoy access to the water park.What sets K9CC apart from other pet care facilities in our area is two-fold—first, the Beach Club-the “it” thing with nothing else like it in South Texas. The Beach Club is a half-acre fenced, off-leash water park featuring a 25,000-gallon filtered and chlorinated lagoon next to a private, competition dock diving pool, surrounded by majestic oaks and lots of nature. Second is member access, where canines and their humans enjoy access to the water park and training areas anytime and receive discounts on boarding and other services.scent work, barn hunting, and dock diving (the hottest summer sport). But does your pup avoid water? No Problem, K9CC instructors can help with private swim instruction. Does your pup love to hunt crumbs on the floor? Turn that into hunting rats or oils through one of their exciting scent work or barn hunt classes. Do you want your dog to stop barking at the door and jumping on people? Call K9CC for basic manners training. Check the website for schedules and pricing.Memberships are available for Beach Club access, discounts on training and kenneling, and more!Realizing that growth should spark philanthropy, Catherine has aligned K9 Country Club with her military giveback program, K9Swat.org. Catherine and her SWAT team train two or three dogs a year to become Service Dogs or Battle Buddies. They partner each dog to service a veteran with PTSD, completely free of charge.Additionally, Catherine is the Executive Director of a non-profit program called Paws in Prison at the Gregory S. Coleman Unit in Lockhart, Texas. The program teaches women close to being released from prison how to train shelter dogs. This therapeutic program teaches participants skills they can use on the outside while helping to prepare the dogs for adoption. It enables them to be a more productive member of society upon release. Dogs live with the inmates for 9-12 weeks of training. “Helping these women change their lives, by helping the animals gain their freedom, has been the most unexpected connection,” says Catherine.The bottom line is that if you want your pet to be happy, take them to their very own private playground-K9 Country Club. Because they deserve a vacation too! Tours are available Monday-Saturday, call for times.K9 Country Club31305 Oakview Road, Bulverde, TX 78163830-980-8476www.K9countryclub.netCatherine Laria founder of K9 Country Club.June 2023www.bsbhighlights.com9Full-service spa grooming is just one of the many services.Another area of distinction is that K9 Country Club is family owned and operated with the owners living on-site. That means someone is on property 24/7. Catherine Laria founded the business in 2001, and along with her sister, who helps with the daily operations, has welcomed expansion and growth. Currently, K9CC boasts an 8,000-square- foot facility with 63 kennels and suites.Beyondswimming, grooming, and zooming around, K9 Country Club is also known for its excellence in training. Classes include obedience, agility,