Wiggles Pet Resort Is a Luxury Hudson Valley Getaway…for Dogs

Photos by Laura Laaman

The reimagined Mahopac pet boarding center offers comfortable accommodations, grooming services, play facilities, and training programs.

The Hudson Valley is the place for luxurious getaways. Historic settings give birth to new hotels, while A-frame cabins and tiny houses offer jaunts into nature. From old-school mountain lodges in the Catskills to modernist retreats with a focus on wellness, the region boasts plenty of enjoyable escapes.

Why not give your beloved pet the same treatment? Say woof to the newest hotel for dogs in town, Wiggles Pet Resort.

Wiggles-Pet-Resort-Staff
Located at the former Stone Meadow Kennel, the new and improved Wiggles Pet Resort is a luxury destination for dogs in the Hudson Valley. After their initial purchase in April 2021, co-owners Laura Laaman and her son Craig opened the resort in August 2021 after completing the $1 million renovation.

- Advertisement -

“We aspire to make all of our dog guests happy enough that they wiggle,” Laaman recites, citing the mantra she’s followed since the creation of the resort. “Whatever service we’re providing, we really want to make the dog and their human as happy as possible,” Laaman says.

Dogs-Playing-Fall
Laaman’s love for animals spans her whole life. She grew up taking care of a ton of dogs. In addition, she would go horseback riding in her spare time. Originally having her sights set on becoming a veterinarian, she pursued business. However, she maintained her passion for dogs. When the mother-and-son duo found out that a massive dog kennel was up for sale, they jumped on the opportunity.
“I walked in and noticed it needed a lot of care,” Laaman recalls. After touring the kennel, she decided they were “going to make this a state-of-the-art, high-quality pet resort.”

And boy, did they deliver.

Laaman and her team made every update with the dogs’ best interests in mind. They replaced the original chain-link enclosures with brand-new, large, glass-front suites. Similarly, they built separated sleeping regions and installed a new HVAC system to improve air quality for the furry friends.

“Our air quality is much better than [many] human-graded systems,” Laaman says. “With all the dog hair and moisture, we have to make sure that the air quality is as stellar as possible.”

- Partner Content -

Wiggles-Pet-Resort
In addition, the brand-new indoor pavilion enclosure is the perfect location for playtime events for the dogs. “We do arts and crafts here with washable paw paint, hay mazes, bacon bubbles, bobbing for apples, and more. It’s a really nice pavilion that’s heated and cooled,” Laaman explains., “When it gets hot, it gets really humid. There are a lot of dogs here that are short-nosed and can’t handle the humidity. The new evaporating cooling unit in the pavilion allows dogs to stay cool with air conditioning.”

Above all, Laaman strives to make stays as comfortable as possible for the dogs. In a similar vein, she and her team crafted state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor play surfaces like the dog-specific K9Grass®. This not only ensures improved cleanability and drainability, but perfectly mimicks the softness of real grass.


The list of new amenities goes on and on, including raised beds, kitchen appliances, vinyl fencing, improved computer systems, and more. Flat screen TVs were installed to play DogTV™, a station proven to reduce anxiety and support overall dog wellness.

“We play movies and television shows that are proven to be dog-compatible so that they can hear and see better. In addition, music plays throughout the day. This is proven to be soothing to dogs as well,” Laaman says.

Wiggles-Pet-Resort-Dog
Of course, the pet resort offers traditional daycare and lodging, where dogs can spend however many nights when their owner is out of town. Wiggles also offers dog boarding, where pets can socialize with one another and have fun in a resort-like experience.

- Advertisement -

In addition, Wiggles Pet Resort offers expansive training programs for dog guests. Owners can drop off their dogs and come back the next day in what Wiggles refers to as their “Stay and Train” program. Here, dogs engage in a sleepover camp for dogs. This includes an all-inclusive stay at the doggie suites, multiple training lessons everyday (depending on your customized training plan), play sessions with a group or one-on-one with a caregiver, and take-home training resources.

Plus, Wiggles Pet Resort built a specialized, pet-friendly spa program. Professional dog grooming and spa services are of utmost quality, including a free blueberry facial with any grooming service selected. Other grooming services include haircuts, several bath packages, nail cleaning, teeth brushing, de-shedding treatments, and much more. Above all, your pooch will look and feel their best after an overnight in Mahopac.

Laaman cites an increased need for high-quality pet care as a result of the pandemic. During the height of COVID-19, dog ownership surged, dubbed by some as the “Puppy Pandemic.” Millions of families across the country made the decision to adopt dogs as a means of improving home life and providing a distraction during periods of social isolation. Unbeknownst to many dog owners, dogs too require social interaction and often enjoy some time away from home.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Luna Guzmán (@luna.grace.2021)


“Most pets become therapy dogs during the pandemic…I believe dogs can feel tension from their owners and feel isolated from having little socialization with other dogs,” Laaman says. To remedy this, taking your dog to a new location to interact with strangers and other dogs can actually be quite beneficial to their mood and temperament.

Wiggles Pet Resort is the perfect location for dog owners looking for a place they can trust to leave their dogs in expert care. From dog socialization to doggy daycare, trust that every dog is in good hands at Wiggles.

Related: Play With Your Pups at the Hudson Valley’s Paw-tastic Dog Parks

Our Digital Partners

Learn how to become a digital partner ...

Our Best of Hudson Valley ballot is open through March 31!

Unveiled: A Boutique Bridal Brunch is February 25!

Holiday flash sale ... subscribe and save 50%

Limited time offer. New subscribers only.