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All About Animal Resorts
About Animal Resorts
Located on a 25 acre historical farm (circa 1750) in Downingtown, Chester County, PA, this country estate is set back from industrialized corporate centers and busy road traffic, yet is still convenient for all residents in the surrounding areas. An extra few minutes of driving for the safety, security and health of your furry family member is time well spent!
Our Facility was established in 1970, and in 1996, we became the first real "Animal Resort" to offer Daycare and additional activities like play-times, play pals, hikes, and pond swims. We also offer Professional Training services and are one of the few remaining kennels to offer adjoining indoor/outdoor private suites in our area. This amenity makes it possible for us to board shy, fearful or aggressive dogs. There are over 6 acres of real grass area fenced for individual and/or group play for your pet’s pleasure. Another 10 acres is fenced for nature hikes through open and wooded trails with streams and a pond.
Real Mother Nature at her best!
Our facility provides for a clean, fresh-air environment, and lots of attention and activity, essential to your pet's good health. Our staff strives to provide the best accommodations and care for your pet! We recommend you sign up for additional activities to provide your pet with more attention and they will most likely have a better time on their "vacation" than you do on yours!
We, the owners, who operate and live on site, believe your pet’s safety, comfort, and happiness to be our first priority, a belief that is also shared by the entire staff. All full-time employees have attended dog behavioral training schools or other pet seminars and are pursuing animal oriented careers. We do not hire unqualified caretakers. Read more about our staff below!
Meet Our Team!
Drew McElya CPT
Drew is the owner here at Animal Resorts. He has 30+ years experience with many styles of training. He believes there are a multitude of ways to train, and you should always be open to adjusting your methods to give each dog exactly what they need in order to learn and flourish. He continues his education by attending a variety of pet training and behavior seminars, believing that you can never stop learning. He graduated from The Master Trainer Course at National K-9 Learning Center in 1999, receiving every certification the program offered, including: Basic/Advanced Obedience, Utility, Retrieval, Scent Detection, Tracking, Support Dog, Police K9, Personal Protection. He attended Cornell University's Solving Canine Behavior problems and many other seminars as well. He was one of the first American Kennel Club Canine Good CItizen Test Evaluators (Evaluator #19). He is also a member of Penn Treaty Kennel Club an AKC all breed club, who is continually looking for new members. Drew is certified by the American Red Cross in canine first aid and CPR. He has experience with a vast array of breeds; his own personal dogs are rottweilers, shiloh shepherds, labs, belgian malinois, and mastiffs. He has lived on premises here at Animal Resorts since we opened, over 25 years ago.
Ryan Bedford
Ryan started working at Animal Resorts in October of 2019. He does maintenance work around the property, and helps out with the pups too. He works hard to keep our farm looking beautiful, and we can't imagine what we would do without him! His trusty sidekick, Faith the rottweiler, accompanies him to work everyday.
Erin
Erin started working for us in the spring of 2019 and she has been a star from the start! In the beginning, she was planning on Animal Resorts being a summer job, but now she is our manager! She is such a joy to work around and dedicates just as much time to the small animals (rabbits and birds) as she does to the big ones. She is currently an ecology major at West Chester University, and plans to continue working with animals after she graduates.
Katy
Katy has been with us for about a year now and we’re so happy to have her! After working in a hospital for over 30 years, she wanted to do something different. She volunteered for LaMancha Animal Rescue for 4 years and currently volunteers for Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue. She has so much love for the doggos!
Alison
Alison joined our team about a year ago and quickly became a crucial team member. She’s here every weekday, hanging with our daycare dogs and caring for our boarding dogs. She has farm animals of her own and works with horses too - a lover of animals for sure!
Karissa
Karissa has spent almost every weekend through her high school career with us. She has so much love for the oddball pets and has been one of the most reliable staff here. She's a lover of dogs but always devotes her time to the cats too!
Maria
Maria is like family; I met her aunt (whom she is named after) 40 years ago. She has worked here for four years now and has proved that she is up for almost any task! She cares for all the dogs as if they were her own.
Her brother Dominic works here as well, helping out with the dogs and doing maintenance work around the farm.
Chandler
Chandler started working for us in February of 2021 when she was in high school. She now attends University of Pittsburgh, but still works part-time when she’s in town. Chandler always gives every dog equal cuddles and attention. She’s the best!
Molly G.
This is Molly’s second year with us. She will soon graduate from TCHS where she studies veterinary science. Molly is patient, reliable, and hardworking. There is no one better suited to care for your furry friend!
Abbey
Abbey joined our team about a year ago and has been a huge help ever since! She makes friends with all, animals and humans alike. She is gentle and attentive to each and every dog in our care. They all adore her!
Taylor
Taylor has been working here for almost 2 years now. She is currently studying veterinary science at Harcum College. She takes her time caring for the animals, ensuring all their daily needs are met. She is very thorough and dedicated to the animals!
Mary
Mary is our morning sunshine on the weekdays! She’s been with us for a few years now, and we really hope she’ll stick around! She’s worked at two different pet resorts in the area, and has years of experience. The dogs don’t know how lucky they are to have her.
Haley
Haley has been a family friend since she was in diapers - literally! Her family started bringing her dog Wiley to us in 1996 when she was just born. Since then, a family friendship grew and in 2019 she joined our team. We know we can always call on Haley if we need her!
Molly R.
Molly R. has been working here for about a year now and immediately fit right in with our team. She currently attends TCHS and is studying veterinary science. If it isn’t obvious enough from her photo - she loves working with animals!
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