Meet Mary Turner of Pet Resort in the Gardens in South Central Arlington

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Turner.

Mary, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Jim and I both grew up here in Arlington. Our ties to our businesses, Farrell Animal Hospital and Pet Resort in the Gardens, started back in the early ‘70s, when I had a little Fox Terrier whom I adored. Since my family knew Dr. Farrell from church, he was her veterinarian throughout the ‘70s and early ‘80s. As Jim was finishing his first year at A&M, he knew he needed veterinary experience to get into vet school, so he applied that summer at Farrell Animal Hospital and was hired on the spot. He started working as the kennel cleaner and worked his way up to vet assistant, working during each break he had from undergrad. He and I met just as I was heading down to A&M myself. (We met in May of ’82 when playing flute and guitar for the wedding of mutual friends and have been together ever since.) Within just a few years, Jim and I had married, both finished grad school, and we moved back to Arlington. Jim, now a DVM, was fortunate to begin his veterinary career with the guidance of Dr. Farrell. I was teaching, and we started our family. Within just 2 years, Dr. Farrell retired and sold Farrell Animal Hospital to us in 1990.

Farrell Animal Hospital grew over the years and at the same time, the culture of pet owning changed from seeing pets as backyard animals to being members of the family. While the old method of boarding (small cages and cinder-block runs) was acceptable back in the day, it always bothered me that my little pup had to sit in a cage almost 24 hours of the day while we were out of town. The demand for boarding increased to the point that we knew we needed to expand our capacity. We considered just bumping out the back wall for more enclosures, but we owned an acre of undeveloped land directly behind the clinic. There was my vision for a freestanding, high-quality pet resort!
We explored resorts in other areas, learned from those who had gone this route before us, and I went down to Houston to train with pet care industry leaders. Arlington had an old-fashioned kennel and a warehouse-style, indoor-only boarding option, but no pet resort. Pet Resort in The Gardens opened in May of 2010. Many people were thrilled to finally have a safe place with the comforts of home for their dogs and cats to lodge while they were away. We’re proud to say that many of those who were most skeptical at first are now some of our most loyal customers!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We get to work with cats and dogs every day! How could there be struggles? (Smiling and laughing)

We started Pet Resort in the Gardens as a way to help our clients while they’re away from home by providing all the love and comfort their pets deserve.

One struggle was that there really wasn’t anything like us around here to compare to; this was a new concept for pet owners. It was our job to blaze the trail, so we took it one step at a time.

From the start, we wanted to be a business that not only takes care of our customers and guests, but one that also provides a great work experience for our employees. While detailed cleaning is still a top priority, the staff is excited to spend extra time engaged with our guests doing more fun activities than ever.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pet Resort in the Gardens story. Tell us more about the business.
We provide premium lodging, fun doggie daycare (monitored group play), and bathing/grooming for pets around Arlington. With our centralized location and easy access to I-20, I-30, 820, and 360, we have customers from all around the Metroplex. We specialize in giving our guests a pampered stay and protected play: things warehouse-style kennels and dog parks can’t provide.

We’re most proud of the quality of care we give our guests. Every guest enjoys personalized care with the added benefit of veterinary supervision. We’re highly selective in our daycare, permitting only social & friendly dogs to ensure the safety and comfort of every guest.

We have certainly seen, and studies show, that pets who are active during lodging stays are happier and healthier. That’s why we offer customizable activity packages to suit any dog! Pet parents can choose their dog’s favorite activities whether it’s high-energy play or relaxing TLC with our loving staff members. Our lodging fees even include a Peace of Mind Health Warranty should a guest ever need veterinary care while visiting.

In addition to continued quality care, we’re working to provide our clients even more benefits in the near future. Some of these new offerings include expanded weekend hours, Sunday drop-offs, and Lodge and Learn training. We’ve had a trainer on staff for years offering classes and private training, but many pet owners just don’t have the time to attend multiple classes. Lodge and Learn will allow pups to learn basic obedience commands from our staff, and then the pet owner will have just one class to attend to learn how to maintain these skills. Handouts and refresher classes will be available to assist.

If you had to start over, what would you have done differently?
Well, as with anything in life, with age comes wisdom. I believe we have done an exceptional job, but if only I could go back and start with all the knowledge and wisdom I have now!

Contact Info:

• Address: Pet Resort in the Gardens
   2890-A W. Pioneer Pkwy (Behind Farrell Animal Hospital)
  Arlington, TX 76013
• Resort Phone: 817-635-5510 Fax: 817-635-5513
• Resort Email: Reservations@petresortinthegardens.com
• Resort Website: http://www.petresortinthegardens.com/
• Resort Facebook: www.facebook.com/petresortinthegardens/

• Address:  Farrell Animal Hospital
  2890 W. Pioneer Pkwy
  Arlington, TX 76013
  
• Farrell Phone: 817-265-6276 Fax: 817-265-9831
• Farrell Email: info@farrellah.com
• Farrell Website: http://www.farrellah.com/

  
Image Credit:
Olivia Rook and various staff members

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