Doggy Day Camp, Inc. is owned and operated by Kathleen Appleton. While Kathleen was actively developing her skills in the business world over the past 18 years, she spent her spare time with her own animals and serving animal-focused charities. Kathleen always longed for an opportunity to combine her managerial expertise with her passion: DOGS! Thus, Doggy Day Camp, Inc., was born.

A great love for dogs and concern for pet overpopulation resulted in Kathleen's volunteer efforts to help shelter dogs find responsible, loving homes. Over the past ten years, Kathleen and her husband, David, have fostered 50+ shelter dogs in their home. Through their commitment to animals, they have helped countless orphans find their forever families. Kathleen and David have seen first-hand how abuse and neglect can break the spirit of a helpless pet. Rehabilitating each of them has been a lesson in kindness and understanding. All pets deserve a humane life, and it is incumbent upon each of us to protect and ensure that right.

Many people in the workplace, like Kathleen, refer to their dogs as their children and members of the family. These pet parents want to offer their cherished pet children a better alternative to long hours home alone while they are away at work. Dog day care is an outstanding alternative to home alone... Dogs who attend Doggy Day Camp, Inc. visit friends and enjoy an active social life in a secure and safe environment.

It is also Kathleen's desire to make dog ownership possible for more potential owners. Because of long work hours, many folks have opted to forego dog ownership, although they love dogs. If dog lovers are given a viable option of having a dog while working full time, there will be more interest in pet adoptions and a decrease in "discarded" pets.

Kathleen and David share their lives with six adopted furry children: Abby (Great Pyrenees), Chevy (Lab/Siberian mix), Josie (Golden Retriever), Kelsey (Golden Retriever), Gilligan (Bengal kitty), and Sunshine (Flame Point Siamese kitty.) All of the Appleton canines have completed a minimum of two obedience courses. David and Kathleen learned early on with their own pack that "canine etiquette" is easily obtained with a little bit of understanding, a sense of humor, and gentle, consistent training. A well-trained dog is a pleasure to have around!

Obedience training (in a course setting) has been an integral part of the Appleton household since April 1991, involving their own dogs and their foster dogs. Many dogs lose their homes due to behavior problems that their pet guardians did not feel equipped to handle. So many problems could be solved or avoided altogether if people would just take the time to properly train their pets.

All responsible dog people know that basic obedience training is crucial for developing a happy relationship with their dogs. Doggy Day Camp, Inc. is pleased to also offer obedience training classes to fulfill that need. Owning a dog should be a complete pleasure, and it can be, IF the dog and  the handler are obedience trained!

Kathleen is a lifelong resident of Lake County, Illinois. She earned her BSBA from American University, Washington, D.C., and an MBA with honors from Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL. Kathleen is the Co-Founder of Great Pyrenees Rescue of Greater Chicago (www.pyr-rescue.org) and managed the not-for-profit animal welfare organization through 2006.  

Doggy Day Camp, Inc. has been a long-time dream of Kathleen's, and at last it has become a reality. Rest assured that your dog will be in compassionate hands while visiting with us at
Doggy Day Camp, Inc. — Lake County's leading dog enrichment center!