Do you love your dog like family, yet need to travel occasionally without them? What dog parent hasn’t faced the tough decision of what to do with their doggo while they’re out of town? My name is Erin Schnute, and my husband Justin and I have created the Bed & BARKfest — a personalized twist on conventional dog boarding.

 

Growing up with dogs, I’ve always been passionate about pups. I’ve also spent 15 years caring for children as a nanny, so naturally, I also found myself working with folks’ dogs as well. I was stopping in for walks, helping with house sits and more. Justin and I have watched our friends and family struggle with the glaring gaps that conventional kennels didn’t have answers to. Huge numbers of dogs, with no people time, no cuddles, and rarely even a walk outside. This was not the life pets were used to when their humans were home, so naturally, they came back stressed, anxious and even hurt in the chaos of so-called doggy day care.

 

We started dreaming about how we could fill that gap. We thought, what if dogs could come to our house and be a part of our pack while their doggie parents were traveling? Surely, they would have more fun hanging out with other dogs in a family atmosphere with plenty of walks and games than just missing their people at home. That’s how the Bed & BARKfest evolved into a home away from home! We went all in and opened our first home (followed by five others!), where dogs are welcomed into a warm family atmosphere where they can thrive! We love that our home backs up to a nature preserve with trails and streams where our furry friends can run and play with us!

 

We take pride in matching your dog with the best possible care. Each pup is assessed for temperament, play levels and food/sleep needs before we suggest one of our six homes where they can hang out with a pack of like-minded dogs. The sitters in these homes are not only dog lovers but experts who continue their education with classes like first aid and working with local dog trainers to make sure each dog gets the most out of every stay. For example, is your dog most comfortable in the crate, sleeping on the couch, or does he somehow find his way into your bed each night? (I’m looking at you, Cavaliers!) Or perhaps our sitters come to your pup and care for them in the comfort of their own home. This is a great fit for seniors who don’t love change or doggos who don’t thrive being around new pups. It’s also a great option for the family who wants the comfort of knowing their home is also being watched over. Every dog is different, and so is our approach.

 

We are also an active part of our community, hosting events such as Doga (it’s as fun as you think it is), coordinating hikes, and prioritizing giving back locally. Erin and Justin are dedicated members of their swing dance community, sitting on a committee that organizes and runs live music events such as Kiss Me in Ann Arbor. Erin is also on the board of the Amour Women Foundation, an organization teaching teens and disadvantaged women to grow with entrepreneurial skills.

 

Thanks to our passionate customers, we’ve been voted Click on Detroit’s top five Pet Sitters for two years running! Join our online community to keep up with all the fun, from health tips and training ideas to toy reviews and more. 

Follow us on Instagram at @BedandBARKfest, where "We Let the Dogs Out."