Meet Dede Day | Happy Day Dog Retreat

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dede Day and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dede, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
In a world where our four legged furry friends are part of the family it has become harder to leave them behind when we vacation. For me, it was a farm full of animals that I would stress about whenever I left. You could say my business was born out of necessity and a desire to help people truly enjoy their vacations free from stress, worry and guilt over leaving their beloved fur babies behind. And I believe we accomplish that goal every single day. Animals have always been a passion for me and as a trainer I try to help people better understand their canine partner which leads to a more harmonious home. I believe we are all meant to use our gifts to put love and positivity into the world and I know we are doing that every time I see an excited pup squealing and dragging their owner to the gate to get inside and a big smile on the face, usually laughing, of their owner.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I think there are several things that set us apart from others in our industry. We are a small boutique boarding/training facility. Every dog who visits us is “my dog” while they’re here and they know it. Not every one of them have the same needs and we are excellent at figuring out how they thrive best and providing that while they are in our care. Another great thing here is the dogs get to run on 2 1/2 acres and we are surrounded by cows, horses, goats and even a pig that visits at the fence line occasionally. What’s great about this is the pups get desensitized to all kinds of things they’re not normally exposed to making these encounters not scary anymore which then builds more confidence. That along with the continuous amount of socializing they get here only benefits the dog and enhances their experience while boarding. You could say they “get to come to farm camp while their parents take a vacation.” We have also proudly earned the nickname, Doggie Disneyland, by many of our clients.
I believe our success has been an outcome of our true desire to help people. We focus on easing their anxiety when having to board by consistent communication. We send pictures and videos of what we’re doing and an occasional text relaying a funny or cute thing their pup did. It helps them to see their pup running around the farm and having a blast. They also benefit from my experience as a trainer. They know they can get their questions answered any time they have an issue. Most of what we do is take care of people, the dogs are easy 😉 And helping people better understand their K9 companions helps everyone have a more harmonious life with their pup.

I wouldn’t say starting a business is easy but it is definitely exciting creating something with your own unique spin. You have to do the work and be consistent. Keep learning. Keep finding the answers and solving the issues one after the other. You have to celebrate your wins and chalk up the fails to growing pains. There is a saying I’ve heard several times that I absolutely love. “You can choose to live your life two ways; one, as if nothing is a miracle or two, as though everything is.” Mindset is everything!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many wonderful and magical places in Tennessee! Of course I’d have to start with downtown Nashville. Everyone must experience that at least once! The shopping, the music and the food! One of my faves though is the Nashville Underground. You gotta ride the bull! LOL! Then there is downtown Franklin and my new discovery, Leipers Fork! It’s amazing what they’re doing out there. I love all the shops of antiques and artists. All the cozy sitting places as you walk the country road. Oh and I’d for sure have to take them to Perry’s in Franklin for the pork chop!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Omgosh there are so many and I could write a book about each of them! But I must say it all started with Darren Hardy and his book, The Compound Effect. It was the motivating factor for me to take his Insane Productivity course. At the time I couldn’t imagine spending that much money on an online course. I thought about for a long while and eventually came to the conclusion that, just like my friend who was going back to school for her masters, this would be school and I should spend the money. In the first module I realized it was worth every penny and so much more. I have since taken his Business Master Class (3 times) and Hero’s Journey (twice). Success is a mindset. To have more you have to become more.

Website: https://happydaydogretreat.portal.gingrapp.com/#/public/login/Ii9zZWN1cmUvaG9tZSI=

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happydayhorsefarmllc/

Image Credits
Images taken by me or friends with my phone.