What a Good Dog LLC

Biscuit did develop kennel cough while in our care—and we took immediate, expert action. That’s what responsible facilities do. What’s not responsible is using that unfortunate reality to publicly disparage a business with zero regard for facts or the exceptional standards we uphold every single day.  Kennel cough is an airborne virus with an incubation period of up to two weeks. Dogs can carry it asymptomatically and begin showing symptoms up to 2 weeks after exposure—at a park, a vet’s office, an agility trial, or yes, even a high-quality facility like ours. My own dog—who has not recently been to What A Good Dog—contracted kennel cough this past week. It’s a virus in the environment. No kennel is immune. What matters is how that kennel responds.  Here’s what we did:  •Immediately recognized Biscuit’s symptoms.  •Isolated him from other dogs.  •Contacted you.  •Took him to an emergency vet clinic—with your approval.  Why emergency care? Because Biscuit had a symptom (unproductive continued attempts to vomit) that could have also indicated bloat—a life-threatening condition. We didn’t guess or delay. We acted, swiftly and correctly and with your consent.  Our team includes two veterinary technicians and is led by me—a PhD-in nursing. Our Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD) protocol was developed in consultation with a licensed veterinarian, approved by the state, and implemented to the letter. It focuses on prevention, rapid response, communication and containment.  Fortunately, none of the dogs exposed to Biscuit developed symptoms. That is a direct result of how effectively we manage health risks.  As for the claim of “smoke and mirrors”: We offer full, unrestricted tours of our entire facility at any time of day—not just during narrow viewing windows. We have nothing to hide and everything to be proud of.  While it is entirely understandable to feel distress when a pet becomes ill, attributing blame to a business that has adhered to all appropriate health and safety protocols is both unjustified and potentially defamatory. Illnesses caused by viral agents, such as kennel cough, are known to spread despite responsible preventative measures. To draw a parallel: one would not hold a school legally or ethically accountable solely because a child contracted the flu while attending. This is a recognized aspect of how communicable diseases function in shared environments. We stand by our team, our practices and protocols and our facility without hesitation. If you or anyone else would like to know exactly how we manage canine health, we’re always here to talk—transparently and professionally. Carolyn Garson, PhD Owner, CEO/COO