ANIMALS
The fur-coated find their way into hearts every day. Here are the businesses who find their way into ours.
By Susan Anspach

Trainer
VERONICA SANCHEZ
Cooperative Paws; Vienna; 703-489-6452; www.cooperativepaws.com

“As a former teacher, I take an educational approach when helping pet owners,” Veronica Sanchez explains. “Our clients receive handouts with instructions, customized training ‘homework’ and support by phone and email if needed.”

Pooper Scooper
DOODYCALLS
114 Fourth St. S.E., Suite A, Charlottesville; 800-366-3922; www.doodycalls.com

Faced with student loan payments while trying to scrap together the start of home savings, DoodyCalls spousal co-owners Susan and Jacob D’Aniello needed a business idea in the summer of 2000 that “was low overhead, and we could start out of my parents’ garage,” Susan D’Aniello says. The now-national franchise system is currently based out of Charlottesville, but D’Aniello supposes they were wise to have first staked their headquarters in Fairfax. “It’s a wide-open industry, especially in Northern Virginia, with so many dog owners,” she says.

Shop for Apparel
WYLIE WAGG
Multiple NoVA locations; www.wyliewagg.com

Far from froufrou, Wylie Wagg’s nationally and internationally sold collars, harnesses and dog coats uphold a company standard as outlined by animal nutrition advocate and owner Laura Clark: “We are against the concept of pets as accessories and never like to see animals put into outfits that make them uncomfortable. … Our success is on keeping an eye on practical, well-priced and healthy products that support the well-being of dogs and cats.”

Pet Therapist
LEIGH SIEGFRIED
Opportunity Barks; 2610 Puritan Court, Herndon; 703-946-3094; www.opbarks.com

It was through the Washington Animal Rescue League that Opportunity Barks director of behavior and training Leigh Siegfried “really got my hands on a lot of interesting animals.” That included 11 of the seized Michael Vic dogs, which Siegfried, who cites her cross-training in daycare and shelter work as contributing to her reward-based methods’ success, assisted in evaluating. “The difference is, with a client … the client is coming to you with a notion of their dog. With a shelter dog you don’t necessarily have any sort of a history.”

What should a student of Northern Virginia 101 be taught first?
They should buy a GPS system and know that major roads in NoVA have multiple names. Ex: Route 7/ Leesburg Pike, Route 1/ Jefferson Davis Highway, Route 29/ Lee Highway. And service roads can be confusing!

Pet Retailer
DOGGONE NATURAL, INC.
44031 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, #287; Ashburn; 703-858-1112; www.doggonenatural.com

“[Our] being educated, opinionated and proactive in the research and selection of our product lineup has allowed our customers to trust us and know we are looking out for the health of their pet[s],” owner CJ Correnti states.

Dog Walker
Erica Elliot
Pick of the Litter Pet Care; Ashburn; 571-437-5437; www.gr8petcare.com

“We … keep ourselves informed of the latest pet-related information on pet nutrition, training, specific breeds and first aid, so that we are very knowledgeable in order to provide the best care possible for our clients’ pets while they can’t be there, and be a helpful resource when our clients have questions regarding any issues with their pets.”

Business for the Birds
DJ FEATHERS AVIARY
14240-P Sullyfield Circle, Chantilly; 703-349-4444; www.djfeathers.com

Impulse buyer, beware. Though you can purchase DJ Feathers Aviary owner Tammy Kramer’s egg-hatchers online, “we spend a tremendous amount of time on the phone with online buyers … at least three or four times during the weaning process.” Citing buyer selectivity as a strong suit for her business, Kramer stresses, “This is a big commitment. Some of our [200] birds will live 80 years.”

Groomer
Bark ‘n Bubbles
795 Center St., Suites 1A and B Herndon; 703-437-9274; www.barknbubblesdogwash.com

Pam Ahart, who partners with Dani Weng as co-owner of the self-serve grooming company, credits “the bonding, being able to do it themselves, being able to educate our customers on how to groom their own dogs” as what’s established her Herndon business location as a “Best of NoVA” veteran.

Animal Hospital
Clocktower
2451 Centreville Road, Herndon; 703-713-1200; www.clocktowervets.com

More than working to stay abreast of laser surgery and digital X-ray options for animals, Clocktower hospital is “about preserving the human-animal bond,” owner Chris Carskaddan says. “I’m into the people as much as the animals. … You talk about man’s best friend being a dog. It’s powerful, that bond. It gets people through a lot of tough times.”

Veterinarian
Chris Carskaddan
Clocktower Animal Hospital; 2451 Centreville Road, Herndon; 703-713-1200; www.clocktowervets.com

“There’s been a drop-off in electives, but people are still taking care of their animals,” Clocktower chief veterinarian Chris Carskaddan says of the economic climate’s effects on his industry. For his part, that means volunteering to treat and assess dogs rescued overseas by soldiers stationed in Iraq.

Mobile Service
THE HOUSECALL VET, LLC
Alexandria; 703-389-4131; www.thehousecallvetllc.com

Dr. Nia Perkins found footing in the Northern Virginia clinic and rescue league circuit when she moved to the region in 2002. From that vantage, she was able to spot a nook in the animal-care field that wanted for a supply of specialists. Her resulting house-call business—one that services a 25-mile radius surrounding the City of Alexandria—is now approaching its two-year anniversary, but supply still outweighs demand. “If for some reason I can’t do a house call, I will refer to another house-call vet that may be in the area. We all kind of help each other out.”

Aquatic Life
VIENNA AQUARIUM & PETS
303 Mill St. N.E., Vienna; 703-242-0553; www.viennaaquariumandpets.com

Exotic fish from Japan, Indonesia and Bangkok stream into the tanks at Vienna Aquarium & Pets, incarnations of which have been in the D.C.-Metro region for more than 30 years. The family-run business used to handle such area zoo importations as “chimps, mountain lions, penguins,” manager and company vice president Chris Reinhardt ticks off. “Of course, you can’t handle those anymore, and there’s a reason for that. But aquatic life has always been our specialty.”

Most Feline-Friendly
CAPITAL CAT CLINIC
923 N. Kenmore St., Arlington; 703-522-1995; www.capitalcat.com

In a city teeming with Fido-restricted high-rises, and professionals more often seen running in heels than sneaks, Arlington’s Capital Cat Clinic’s clients appreciate a care facility exclusive to felines. “They like the fact there is no dog presence here,” co-owner Dan Brown explains. “We tend to have more senior cats over the age of 7, or cats that have specific issues or problems that have not been able to have been dealt with at practices.”

Day Care
DOGTOPIA
Multiple NoVA locations 888-DOGTOPIA; www.dogdaycare.com

“I looked at it from the beginning as how I would want to be treated as an animal lover,” CEO Amy Nichols states. “We’re kind of in the business of relieving guilt. If you can’t exercise your dog … this is a way to make them happy and have them play with friends.”

Boarding
DOGTOPIA
Multiple NoVA locations 888-DOGTOPIA; www.dogdaycare.com

With five locations in Northern Virginia, including the launchpad Tysons site, 7-year-old Dogtopia requires its boarders to be spayed or neutered by 7 months of age, “but we do not breed discriminate,” CEO Amy Nichols vows. That means any ilk can take advantage of the company’s playroom—complete with owner-accessible webcam—for Dogtopia’s one, all-inclusive fee, that is. “We’re certainly not the cheapest,” Nichols admits. “But you never have to worry the price is going to be different for dogs on medications or special foods.”