Pet Stories - Page 6 of 29 - Mount Pleasant Pets

Michael’s Barkery Pet Spa and Boutique Named in 2022 Best of Mount Pleasant

Michael’s Barkery Pet Spa and Boutique
Best Pet Website
Nominating Category:
Best Pet-Friendly Business
Karen Patrohay, Owner

How did your business get started?
Michael’s Barkery was inspired and started because of our son, Michael, who has a cognitive disability. In high school, all seniors were expected to do a job internship program, and Michael was no exception. Because of his love for his dog, Sunshine, a plan was put together for Michael to make and sell dog treats. Everyone loved them, and Michael loved making all the dogs and owners happy. There were not many options for Michael or others like him after high school, so we decided to start a unique dog spa and boutique where we provide employment opportunities to adults with cognitive disabilities while supporting animal lovers.

What is your most popular product?
Whether you are looking to pamper your pup with a spa grooming day, the perfect pet accessory or homemade specialty treats and cakes, we are your one-stop shop for you and your four-legged family members.

What are some challenges that you’ve overcome?
We have been open now for two years. We have 20 employees, of which 10 are teammates with cognitive disabilities. We opened our doors in November 2019, just a few months before COVID-19 hit. To say the least, that was not great timing. We were fortunate that grooming and pet food and supplies were essential, so we were able to remain open. We put into place curbside drop-off and pick-up, as well as several cleaning and safety protocols. As we had hoped, the community stayed with us and helped us to grow despite this difficult time.

Describe the atmosphere and services at Michael’s Barkery. What do you want customers to take away from your business?
We strive to have the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff. We look for people who share our values and mission. Our groomers are second to none. They are passionate about animals’ health and well-being. They are very experienced and really care about each dog that passes through our doors.

We also strive to make everyone’s shopping experience in our retail area special. The look and feel of our store is very welcoming, with friendly staff members who love to get to know our customers and are always happy to provide help. We carry grooming supplies, collars, leashes, pet apparel, bowls, toys and pet-themed gifts.

In our state-of-the-art kitchen, we make a variety of pet treats and cakes with high quality, nutrient rich ingredients. One of our most popular items is our pup-cakes. We love to create custom one-of-a-kind treats and cakes for businesses and events to make every occasion truly unique. We have our treats in hotels, boutiques and doggy day care facilities. We have also made gender reveal cakes and engagement announcement packages. We do several fun events in our store, as well as providing yappy hour fun at apartment complexes.

To learn more, visit michaelsbarkery.com, or call 843-471-1199.

Crescent Care Veterinary Clinic: Going Above and Beyond for Four-Legged Family

Just as we look for the best care for ourselves and loved ones, we also want the best care for our four-legged loved ones, too. Luckily, here in Mount Pleasant, there is a veterinary clinic with professionals that are not only experienced but who also get top ratings for delivering the best care. Providing a family-friendly community atmosphere is ranked high on the list for this local, family-owned veterinary business.

Three years ago, Crescent Care Veterinary Clinic opened its doors with the goal of providing clients with a different veterinary experience — one where the medical care and treatment plans are tailored not just to the pet but to the owner as well.

“My goal is for every client to walk out of here feeling happy and satisfied, knowing that together, we did what was best for their pet,” said Dr. Jeffrey Leeman, owner of Crescent Care Veterinary Clinic.

Starting a clinic where he could form and develop relationships with a community of animal lovers was his dream. “Watching the relationships grow between pets and their owners is a beautiful thing and something that will never get old. It is certainly true that the pets need their owners, but it is just as true that the owners need their pets. It’s rewarding to be able to witness this bond,” he said.

Named 2021 Best Veterinarian in Mount Pleasant Magazine, Crescent Care Veterinary Clinic of the Lowcountry takes the stress out of vet appointments. This year, the clinic has added two associate veterinarians: Dr. Rebeca Lawrence and Dr. Cady Patchen. Together, the team of doctors and their well-trained staff are dedicated to providing excellence in the care of their clients’ pets.

Your first office visit is always free at Crescent Care Veterinary Clinic. “We feel it is important for our clients to have the opportunity to see if we are the right fit for their veterinary needs,” said Dr. Leeman.

For more information on Crescent Care Veterinary Clinic of the Lowcountry, visit www.crescentcarevet.com, or call 843-277-9043.

By Theresa Stratford

Palmetto Moon Synthetic Turf: Easy on the Paws

Treat your best four-legged friend to a yard that is safer for them and provides a cleaner experience for you with Palmetto Moon Synthetic Turf.

When you think of synthetic turf for pet areas, you may think of dog parks, doggie daycares and veterinary clinics. Palmetto Moon has done all of those, but according to owner Marty Huggins, 80% of their installations are residential.

“We’ve done 15,000-square-foot residences before,” said Huggins, “so we’re not talking about puppy pads. We’re doing entire backyards.”

The synthetic turf you see at dog parks and other commercial locations is pet grass, which is short — just an inch long — and mainly used in areas where there will be a lot of dogs. But if you don’t want your home to look like a dog park, you needn’t worry. Any of the 40 different varieties of synthetic grass that Palmetto Moon carries can be made pet-friendly.

“There are two products we add to any of our turf to make it pet-friendly,” explained Huggins. Palmetto Moon uses a specialized infill called Envirofill, a man-made sand with Microban. Next, they treat the turf with a non-toxic, healthy bacteria spray that prevents odor.

So, whether you are looking for Bermuda, St. Augustine, Rye, Fescue or Zoysia, you can have lush, green, realistic looking grass that your dog can’t dig through and won’t discolor with Palmetto Moon Synthetic Turf.

Synthetic turf is not only pet-friendly, it’s eco-friendly as well. “We are eliminating the need for chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides so it’s healthier for both humans and dogs,” added Huggins.

With multiple manufacturers to choose from, each carrying a 15-year residential warranty, your lawn will stay green and pet-friendly for years to come with Palmetto Moon Synthetic Turf.

For more information, visit palmettomoonsyntheticturf.com.

By Christine Steele

Celebrity Paws in the Park for Charleston Animal Society

Run. Sit. Play. The brand-new Celebrity Paws in the Park, organized to benefit Charleston Animal Society, will be an event for you and your dogs that’s surely not to be missed. Join thousands of people and their dogs at Riverfront Park in North Charleston on March 19, 2022 for this amazing fun, family-friendly event. One of the highlights will be a 5k run that you can do solo or with your dog.

The world famous DockDogs dog diving competition, which you have probably seen at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, will be adding to its busy tour schedule with a full day of high energy contests at the 2022 Celebrity Paws in the Park event. Even non-professional canine athletes will be able to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Travis Brorsen, celebrity dog trainer and host of the hit Animal Planet reality show “My Big Fat Pet Makeover,” will be live on stage for fun-filled educational presentations specifically for kids about dogs. On the show, Brorsen works with families to develop healthy eating and exercise routines for animals and their families. With a nod to this concept, a special Couch to 5K training program will launch on Jan. 1 to encourage people and pets to get fit together. People and pets who sign up to participate in the Couch to 5K program will be led through a routine that will prepare human and dog teams to walk or run in the day’s “5-K9” event.

There will be multiple activities for humans and their dogs throughout the six activity zones. The Pet Adoption Zone, sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, will have lots of furry friends from Charleston Animal Society looking for new homes. The Pet Health and Wellness Zone will provide free and low-cost necessities for your pet, such as rabies vaccinations and microchips. The Canine Sports Arena will not only feature the DockDogs diving competitions but also agility courses and athletic contests for dogs to participate in.

Of course, there will be lots of food and drink at the food truck rally, but the most exciting part of the whole activity zone is the debut of the official Rescue Brew Beer from Palmetto Brewing Company. You can even meet the cat and dog who are on the cans.

The Celebrity Paws in the Park is a fundraising event benefiting the lifesaving work of Charleston Animal Society. Individuals can raise funds on their own, and groups of people can join together to form teams. Prizes will be awarded for both the individuals and teams who raise the most money. There will also be awards for the competitors in both the official 5k Race for the Rescues run and the leisurely “5-K9” fun run/walk event.

Mark your calendars now — the third Saturday in March has been reserved for the next three years. For more information on Charleston Animal Society, visit charlestonanimalsociety.org.

By Sean Hawkins

Comfortable Living for You and Your Four-legged Family at 1201 Midtown

Pets are an integral part of many families, which is why it is so important to find residential communities that embrace our furry friends, like Mount Pleasant’s 1201 Midtown.

A MAA (Mid-America Apartments) Community, 1201 Midtown offers flexible lease terms from three to 14 months. You can choose from one, two and three-bedroom luxury apartments, with styles ranging from classic Southern charm to a new modern vibe. The apartment homes feature desirable touches, like gourmet kitchens with quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances. They even offer two loft-style three-bedroom homes.

While residents might appreciate the designer kitchens, Fido will flip for the two pet parks and pet spa station. There are 11 MAA communities throughout the Charleston area, including three in Mount Pleasant, and 1201 Midtown’s property manager Dianne Lang said that as far as she is aware, they are the only property management company in Charleston with no breed or weight restrictions for dogs.

“No breed or weight restrictions is what sets us apart from other communities,” noted Lang. “We welcome them all.” As though to illustrate her point, as we were chatting, two great Danes walked past the leasing office.

The pet parks at 1201 Midtown also provide open spaces and agility equipment where dog owners can take their pooches to stretch their legs and exercise. “It’s an area where they can run free,” remarked Lang. Nearby walking trails present another opportunity for outside activity, a definite bonus when living in an apartment community.

1201 Midtown’s pet spa provides a tub setup for washing and blow-drying pets and offers a more convenient option to bathing your pet in your apartment — not to mention a great alternative to paying for professional grooming services so often.

1201 Midtown’s amenities and activities are geared toward dog owners as well. Leashed dogs are welcome in open spaces throughout the complex, such as the clubhouse, which features a game room with shuffleboard and billiards and a big-screen TV, where residents can watch the games with their best friend in tow. There are even special events, including a pet costume contest held each October.

Pre-COVID-19, 1201 Midtown hosted a dog show in the style of the renowned Westminster Kennel Club, which they hope to revive once again when public health conditions permit. 1201 Midtown also partnered with the Charleston Animal Society for a successful pet adoption event.

Lang said she and her fellow team members love engaging with their residents as well as their furry friends, even mentioning how some pets make a beeline for the office because they know a treat often awaits them.

Pet fees at 1201 Midtown and other MAA communities are similar to those standard for the area. The cost is $400 for the first pet and $200 for a second pet, plus a $15 monthly charge per pet per month — a modest price for a happy family.

For more information on 1201 Midtown, visit 1201midtown.com, or call 843-606-4417 to schedule a tour.

By Colin McCandless