Veterinarian aims to take the worry away from pets and their owners
By Dave Fidlin | SDUN Reporter
For more than a quarter century, Dr. John Boyd had been in the business of caring for dogs and cats through the act of veterinary medicine. Fifteen months ago, Boyd took his expertise in a new direction.
The end result is Dr. Boyd’s Pet Resort, an Uptown-based operation that aims to be as all-inclusive and stress-free as possible for pets and their masters. The business is located at 2147 San Diego Ave., bordering Old Town and lower Mission Hills.
“I wanted to create something in San Diego that was different and hadn’t been done before,” Boyd said. “It wasn’t much of a gamble when it came time to opening the pet resort.”
Encompassing a mixture of indoor and outdoor space, Boyd’s operation has five departments, including a grooming area, traditional veterinary clinic and daycare facility.
From his experience in traditional veterinary practices, Boyd said customers would sometimes be turned off to restrictive practices with regimented hours. To counteract, Boyd said most of the pet resort is a 24-hour operation.
“Everyone has their own personal 24-hour clock,” Boyd said. “We won’t charge people for half a day if they go over an hour or two. By doing this, I think it eliminates some of the adversarial roles that have taken place.”
While the pet resort features a traditional daycare service daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Boyd also is offering a “datecare” service for people looking to ensure their pets are being cared for in the evening hours.
Boyd said his practice also emphasizes social interaction between dogs and cats. To accomplish this, he and his staff examine the temperament of each animal to ensure it can be matched with other dogs and cats.
“We have trainers and handlers, and they help to ensure there is the proper blending in a migratory pack,” Boyd said. “Every pet that comes through here is treated as if it’s my own.”
Boyd said the response to the pet resort concept has been overwhelmingly positive in the neighborhood, as well as elsewhere within Uptown.
“We have a need for more bedrooms,” Boyd said of overnight service offered. “I really like being in the Mission Hills area. I’ve found it to be a really wonderful community.”
Throughout his career, Boyd has taken his expertise in a number of directions. He runs a non-profit organization, Dr. Boyd’s Foundation for Pets, alongside the pet resort. Proceeds from the organization help a number of efforts, including adopting dogs from Mexico.
Another outgrowth of the foundation has been a series of free talks that are open to all pet owners and held on the grounds of the pet resort. The next talk, a seminar about first aid for pets, is being held April 24 and coincides with Pet First Aid Awareness Month, an initiative launched by the American Red Cross.
During the talk, Boyd and other experts will touch on a number of issues, including dog and cat nutrition. The goal, Boyd said, is to share little known facts with the audience.
Case in point: Easter Lilies, coming into bloom with spring, are toxic to cats and can have a devastating effect on their health, he said.
The all-important issue of medications also will be discussed. While over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin and other forms of pain reliever are safe for humans, the same cannot be said of our four-footed counterparts.
“Most of us will have the instinct to try to keep our pets comfortable and eliminate pain,” Boyd said. “It is very important to keep in mind that pets cannot take the same medications as people. Your veterinarian will be able to prescribe a medication that is safe for your pet and can alleviate pain.”
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: First Aid for Pets Seminar
WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 24
WHERE: Dr. Boyd’s Pet Resort, 2147 San Diego Ave.
INFORMATION: drboyds.com, 619-260-6060
