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Business & Tech

It's A Doggone Adventure For The Pooches At Trail Paws

Parts doggie daycare, pup playtime and fitness/adventure camp for pooches, Gig Harbor's Trail Paws shows its four-legged clients a doggone good time in the South Sound. Oh, yeah, and their human clients love 'em too.

No one can accuse Gig Harbor resident and Trail Paws owner Tina Simons of having low energy.

This busy business owner, mother of four and exercise/outdoors lover is as high-energy as they come. Good thing, as her clients can barely contain their own energy.

Did I mention that her clients have two extra legs? 

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Trail Paws is a local dog's dream of playtime and adventure. Created a few years ago, Trail Paws gives local pooches hiking, beach, and play adventures around the South Sound. Touted as active and engaging play and fitness, Simons promises a healthy and rewarding time for your pet. She'll also bring them home happy (and tired).

This is a good thing for pet owners. People that have to work outside the home full or part-time or who are unable to really exercise an active pet love the concept. This is clear in that Simon's business continues to grow. Let's see why.

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How does Trail Paws work?

Simons comes to your home to pick up your dog in the Trail Paws van (yes, really). The dogs are then transported to different, interesting and pooch-friendly locations around the South Sound for play and exercise. Typical locations include the , Tacoma's Point Defiance Park and Salmon Beach (Simons was a longtime resident and granted access by residents that she uses today), over the Narrows Bridge at Olalla's Bandix Dog Park, and occasionally over to the Key Peninsula's Penrose and Joemma Park. For the truly adventurous dog, there's the all-day (two sessions combined) mountain adventure (Wednesdays) in places such as Iron Horse State Park near North Bend off Interstate 90.

With the exception of the all day-adventures, there are morning and afternoon sessions to choose from and the time commitment of each sessions ranges about 2 to 2 1/2 hours (drive time plus play time). Dogs are provided lots of access to water and snack rewards as appropriate. Costs are $20 per session or there are packages for multiple sessions per week at varying prices (click here for the price structure). The all day (two sessions combined) adventure session is $30. Four dogs maximum are allowed during each day session, five dogs maximum for the all-day session.

This service is designed for the active dog who enjoys interacting with other dogs, exercise and being outdoors. Simons interviews each potential client to make sure that they are not only a good fit for the program, but would also be happy doing it. However, if a dog has a good personality fit, and maybe not quite as active and/or new to off-leash, she is willing to work with that animal and their owner and make some accomodations.

All dogs MUST be current with their vaccinations in order to participate.

 

How did Trail Paws get started?

It all began during Simons' 12-year-stay on Tacoma's Salmon Beach. An avid runner, hiker, and outdoors lover, Simons spent lots of time running the trails in nearby Point Defiance Park, rain or shine. When Simons did her runs, especially during the week, she noticed something.

Simons remembers that "the trails were largely empty. One day, I just started taking some of the neighbor's dogs with me. I learned I really liked having a dog with me!"

Simons always continued to love dogs and her runs, however, her business life took her elsewhere. She attended massage school and worked as a massage therapist for a decade. After that, she worked for the Department of Fish and Wildlife and other temporary jobs.

But her mind always keep coming back to the dogs and her active, outdoorsy life.

Several years ago, she made a decision that would change her life.

"I thought, why not exercise dogs and make a business out of it?"

The dream became reality before she knew it.

Simons did her research to find out what human clients needed for their pets and what people would be willing to pay. She diligently researched doggie daycare facilities and other pet businesses (like dog walkers) to learn more. She wanted her business to more outdoors and active. She ran past the first iteration of her business plan to similar business owner in Bellingham. His take on her idea?

A resounding go for it!

And Simons did.

 

What's it like to work with dogs?

When I asked Simons what she liked best about her job, she was quick and enthusiastic to respond.

"I love it," gushed Simons. "I feel so lucky to get to be outside all day!"

Simons has received rave reviews on her temperment and exquisite handling of all dogs in and out of her charge. Modern-day dog whisperer, perhaps?

Simons thinks of this way: "I have a high-energy personality, but I am also very calm, at the same time. The dogs sense this. If I have a van of dogs where one is a little overexcited, I seem to be able to calm and relax them pretty quickly."

She continues, "Because I get to know all the dogs so well, especially due to repeat clients, they get to know me well, too."

 

What do clients say?

Longtime customer Aura Mae and her nearly 2-year-old puppy lab mix, Gracie, love Trail Paws.

Mae states: "Swimming, hiking and running in the snow (at the mountain adventure days) are pure heaven for Gracie. Even if I didn't work full time, I am not fit enough to take her on outings to get the kind of exercise she gets with Tina. Also, a dog tired from running all day is less likely to eat the furniture."

Well said.

 

What's next?

Simons continues to take new clients. Check out the Trail Paws Facebook page for contact information, great pictures of the current clients, and more information about services for you and your pet.

So, for Simons ultimate test, this author and her 2-year-old border collie, Kona, are going to join Trail Paws locally. Watch for my follow-up as Kona and I take on our own doggone adventure.

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