Where do we begin with providing a proper client review of such a WONDERFUL and WELCOMING home-away-from-home for your beloved furry family members, and where you will be a returning client? Is it with the: 1) CARING and KNOWLEDGEABLE client/pet-oriented family Team; or, 2) WELCOMING and INDIVIDUAL luxury boarding suites and adjacent fenced exercise areas; or 3) CALMING and RELAXING clean air environment and walking trails set in the Blue Ridge Mountain region????? As "parents" of two shelter-rescue Rottweilers [Cola (f) and Moose (m)], in early 2024 we were in need of the "purrfect" boarding team and environment as we prepared for an March/April trip to Europe. Significant considerations included the facts that neither pet was very social, nor had ever been apart from us or away from home. To say we had anxiety about this issue is an understatement; but then, we found Miriam and her family-based team at Shady Mountain Pet Retreat in Amherst, VA. Our initial engagement was so successful we returned recently for 2 weeks in October when we attended a family wedding. Below is our attempt to inform accordingly so you may also experience such joy...... Firstly, the TEAM: No business can operate to its highest degree of precision absent having the highest caliber TEAM to execute flawlessly and achieve such performance. Factor into the pet-boarding business equation is the fact that our pets are beloved family members and we strive to entrust their training and care to the most qualified and caring professionals of integrity in the safest environment. Have no concerns on this front, as Miriam and her family are the highest caliber cohesive TEAM who exceed client (and furry guest) expectations. From the moment we engaged with Miriam, we knew we made the purrfect choice. Miriam listened to us and understood our concerns, and suggested an initial meet and greet with Cola and Moose. We eagerly made the 2-hour drive from Mineral, VA to meet Miriam, who is a well-accomplished author and expert in the field of animal behavior, training and care; and her clients and their pets are the direct beneficiaries. I stress the fact Miriam listened to our concerns and provided insightful information facilitating our collective best-informed decision to entrust Cola and Moose with her for a 1-month board and train period during our upcoming trip. I assure you that we did not have any guilt-based regrets as we departed on drop-off day of either of our two visits to date (March/April and then October). You can trust that Miriam sincerely wants you and your pet(s) to be happy, comfortable and free of any stress, emphasizing her positive reinforcement approach which serves as the corner stone of Shady Mountain Pet Retreat. You can even follow your pet's daily adventures through various updates Miriam posts thoughtfully on social media and her website: https://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/ Secondly (but equally), the BOARDING SUITES/EXERCISE AREAS: Discard any concerns you may have that you will find institutional-style stress creating chain link fence-type boarding "cages" or rooms at Shady Mountain Pet Retreat. Rather, at Shady Mountain your family member will reside in a very comfortable, climate-controlled individualized roomy suite, separated by solid walls from neighboring guests. A raised off-the-floor style pet bed is a plus to afford more comfort while resting. The suite doors have a full length glass window (with drop blind as needed) so residents can watch the daily "office" activities, and a rear-exit pet door leading out to the fenced in exercise area. Each guest enjoys their own supply storage cubby which facilitates the management of feedings, etc. External fenced in exercise areas are divided into separate sections which permits greater staff flexibility for training, etc. See website for all the other possibilities for your pet's stay: https://www.shadymountainpetretreat.net/ Lastly (but equally), the clean air mountain ENVIRONMENT and WALKING TRAILS: As you ascend Shady Mountain to reach the Retreat, you will be filled with a calming and serene sense, taking in the peaceful natural Amherst, VA environment. Cola and Moose love taking in all the smells of nature as we drive up the mountain. Peaceful and calming are the words we would use to describe this environment. If pet appropriate, Miriam's team can take your loved-one on nature walks through trails in the surrounding landscape, with the potential to see deer and other varieties of wildlife. Cola and Moose told us they so enjoyed these nature walks on their most recent visit. We conclude our review by recommending, with the highest regards, the Shady Mountain Pet Retreat, Miriam and her team. At the Shady Mountain Pet Retreat all three elements of knowledgeable and caring people, well-apportioned boarding/training facilities and a serene environment combine to provide the most wonderful and trusting of experiences. Thank you!! read more

Shady Mountain Pet Retreat - Moose - Pet Training Near Me - Amherst, Virginia

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As someone who's worked in canine behavior and training for years, finding a place I will entrust with my dogs is no easy feat. Now that I've found Shady Mountain I may never leave Virginia. Miriam is the real deal. Besides l the numerous books she's published on dog behavior and training the facility is perfect. It's set up impeccably, has appropriately strict health screening for entry and the services on site are too notch. I left my dogs for their first stay and walked away with ease and comfort knowing they are in the best of hands. It's worth every penny and then some. read more

We can't say enough about SMPR. We did the 4 week Board and Train. Mariam is awesome! She really know how to communicate with animals. She worked with us as well to teach us how to continue the training. She is passionate about making it fun and making it a positive experience for the dog. In addition, after the training was complete, Mariam is still available to answer any questions you have to help you be successful. The dog suites are awesome. We had no reservations about leaving our pup with SMPR. They treat their guests like they are their own! Thank you Mariam! read more

We've been boarding our dog Miles at Shady Mountain since he was a pup. The facilities are the best available. Dogs are given the freedom to play with other dogs or simply rest by themselves in there own private suite. The grounds and the suites are kempt inpecibly clean and neat. The vaccination and health test requirements of each guest assures a happy and healthy stay for your pet. Miriam and her staff (most of which are her family) are the best! Their knowledge and love of dogs provides us with such peace of mind when we go out of town. She always posts an update about her current "guests" on her website and we love to read about his adventures. As much as we hate to leave Miles behind when we can't take him with us, we are so happy to have Shady Mountain Pet Retreat. read more

I am writing this rave review for Shady Mountain Pet Retreat after having Miriam take my dog and train him to be a wonderful pet for me. From the beginning she seemed to have a magical touch with a difficult dog. She was very patient, loving, strict, caring and I could go on with the adjectives to describe the feelings this woman projected when dealing with my Shar Pei. I have found this excellent home for my dog when I am traveling. I also take him once a week, for "day care", so he can run and see other dogs. He is always happy to see Miriam when we arrive and happy to see me when I come and pick him up; this is how I know he looks forward to all the wonderful adventures he has at Shady Mountain, has been treated well, and has no anxieties about spending time there. The first visit Miriam spent a good deal of time talking to me, explaining her retreat, and finding out about Hamlin from my perspective. I had some concerns about Hamlin, one of which, he was shedding a great deal, so asked why. Miriam suggested several possible reasons, his food, out door temperatures, exercise? She recommended a new, natural food and said she carried it, but it was also sold in several other places. Hamlin's coat is now VERY healthy and shinny. He is not yet two and needs a tremendous amount of running time, which where I live is not possible, that is when she told me about "day care". Hamlin is a smeller, and a top hitching lead, just didn't work, again she had several suggestions, now our walks are much easier and I don't have to tug on him. The facility is very friendly, clean, attractive and emulates a people spa...even has a play ground that keeps dogs busy, interested, inquisitive, and enables them to run till theirs hearts content, there is even a swimming pool. Their sleeping arrangements can be modified so that a dog's own bedding (from home) is there for them, and of course their own toys are in their area. Miriam keeps me updated regularly through her website about Hamlin when he is there for an extended stay. He will continue to be a frequent visitor. One can spend a life time looking for a facility like this for their pet, lucky me and lucky Hamlin to have found Shady Mountain Pet Retreat. read more

Shady Mountain Pet Retreat - a content dog - Pet Training Near Me - Amherst, Virginia

Shady mountain pet retreat is the ONLY place I would leave our Lucy. It is the best dog care available in the country. The facilities are as home like as can be for multiple pet care. Mariam keeps her "dog kids" safe and healthy. Lucy comes home happy and content. read more

My poodle has been a regular visitor of Shady Mountain Pet Retreat since 2012. During our first visit I was totally amazed at the spacious rooms for each dog...much more than that was the professionalism of owner/trainer Miriam Fields-Babineau. I had a very timid, shy unsocialized dog, after the first six months with Miriam Fields-Babineau's guidance and professional training she came home a different dog. Not only was Miriam able to improve her behavior she went on to take her through obedience and achieve five titles. My poodle loves Miriam & spending time at Shady Mountain. I highly recommend Shady Mountain Pet Retreat for anyone that wants the BEST for their cats and dogs. read more

We have had our dog, Lido, for a year and while he was a loving and sweet guy, he was not obedient. We don't have a lot of free time nor did we put a lot of effort into training him. We knew something needed to be done and found Shady Mountain Pet Retreat. After talking with the owner, Miriam, we decided on a four week training course plus swim lessons. The location is out in the foothills with lots of woods. The dog facilities are immaculate including the indoor pool. Each dog receives his own room with access to outside. You can provide your own food, but Miriam offers high quality food that our dog loves and you can in a store near you. Once a week, it is recommended that owners come out and become trained themselves and see your dogs progress. After one week of lesson, Lido was a new dog. And after four weeks, Lido is calm, obedient, and happy. We are so glad to have found Shady Mountain Pet Retreat. Since they also board dogs, we will be using them whenever we go out of town. Thank you Miriam! read more

If you want the best for your dog, look no further. Our dog Oakey recently stayed for the first time. It was a boarding and training camp for him. We have used other facilities in the past for other dogs, but none come close to Shady Mountain. He is looking forward to his next visit in August. Thank you read more

I would highly recommend Shady Mountain to anyone. I travel and need to board our three dogs frequently. When we leave them at Shady Mountain they always get the best of care. They come home healthy and happy. It is like a vacation for them to go and visit Miriam. Their facility is second to none. It is always kept clean and fresh. read more

SMPR is the very best place for boarding your pet. They offer so much more than simple boarding. My dog has been there many times, including an extended stay for training when she was a puppy. She is well cared for at each visit, is taken on hikes in the beautiful mountain setting, gets to play with other dogs. Training is gentle, positive and effective. I highly recommend SMPR for your pet's next vacation. read more

I am giving Shady Mountain Pet Retreat 5 stars. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this amazing place for anyone looking for a safe, clean, fun place for their pet to go while their owners are away. Miriam and her staff take such loving care of the animals!! We have been bringing our dog to stay here for over 5 years now. read more

We had the good fortune to board our Lab, Bronx for 8 days with these fabulous people. I cannot express how pleased we were with the entire experience. It was the next best thing to him being home, except he was trained while there. So it was even better! We have since adopted a Golden, whom Miriam trained. I recommend this facility with absolutely no hesitation. Our dogs are like our children and I would not trust them with anyone else. read more

I can with great faith highly recommend Shady Mountain Pet retreat as a first class training and boarding facility! I have boarded our 3 dogs there for over 2 years. Miriam and her staff are very attentive and care deeply for all the dogs and cats in their care. Our dogs are always excited and happy to get there and LOVE Miriam. She uses positive reinforcement for all her training and helped me train our young Goldens. Shady mountain was recommended to us by numerous people throughout VA. I am extremely picky about who takes care of our Goldens, and Shady Mountain Pet Retreat & MIriam is the only boarding facility I have found where I have complete faith that our dogs are getting the very best care! The facility is beautiful, the suites are clean and spacious, while also being "homey, warm and inviting." The play yards have lots of space to run and play. Miriam is very careful to make sure the play dynamics are safe for all the dogs there. We call Shady Mountain the "Ritz for dogs." 5 stars are not enough for this wonderful oasis read more