Want to spoil man’s best friend? Look no further than nearby Lucky’s Pet Resort and Day Spa.
By Kathy Norcross Watts
January, 2008
Two years of cross-country research conducted by Joe, a former zookeeper, and his father, Richard, resulted in this four-year-old state-of-the art pet haven, conveniently located just three miles from Piedmont Triad International Airport. And thanks to the resort’s commitment to top-notch care, pet parents can rest assured that their beloved little ones will have whatever they need — or want — during their stay.
EXCELLING IN EXTRAS
The centerpiece of the resort is Lucky Town, where luxury suites come with a five-star, hotel-like turn-down service for canine guests: two small dog biscuits atop a lamb’s wool mat — known as a “woolie” — at the head of each bed. Each room has its own television and squeak toy, and guests — all of whom must be up-to-date on vaccinations — participate in playtime three times a day, as long as they are spayed or neutered.
“We offer services you can’t find anywhere else,” Aaron says. For example, one dog “wanted” his television tuned to NASCAR — since his parents had gone to the races — and another “preferred” to watch The Food Network’s Bobby Flay. Families can board their dogs together, and large villas are especially well-suited for big breeds like Great Danes.
“She’s watching a little Animal Planet,” Joe says, referring to a relaxed Shih Tzu who, resting on a woolie, glances away from her television show for an instant to reveal big brown eyes. “Some dogs will sit there and watch it for hours.” Other times pets will take in a movie, including options like Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, Snow Dogs, or Finding Nemo.
Suites mimic the luxurious locations for which they are named: First Bark and Chase Bank, Unlucky Firehouse, New Yorky Times, and Fur Seasons Hotel. Australian shepherds Bernie and Stitch enjoy Poochies Boutique, and you’ll also find Barkola Café, Bones R Us, and Lucky Town Hall.
Perfecting Playtime
When the time comes for play group, tails wag wildly as furry friends gather. Once they’re released, pups race across the indoor-outdoor play yard under close supervision — Lucky’s maintains a ratio of 10:1 in play groups. “We always make sure everyone’s acting nice and having a good time,” Joe says. “We’ll do whatever they want to do, if they want to get petted or loved on.” 
Lucky’s is a member of the American Boarding and Kennel Association (ABKA) and is currently going through an intense certification program with the organization, which, according to the Strassers, will make it the first such certified kennel in Greensboro. In addition, all full-time employees are pet technicians certified by ABKA.
The Best in the Basics
Their certification is well-deserved. Despite the four-legged clientele, Lucky’s is spotless. It doesn’t smell like a kennel — or even the cleaners used to clean kennels. Its special polyflex flooring “actually has a little bit of a bounce,” Joe says, which not only cushions the joints, but has an added benefit of an antimicrobial coating. “We make sure the dogs have an extra layer of security,” he explains.
Fresh air is circulated six times every hour, which filters out odors and airborne viruses, and fresh water is available throughout the day. “Every dog will get a woolie to sleep on if they don’t eat it,” Joe says. “We call [pets] by name. We’re making sure they’re happy.”
In a separate room, self-ventilated cat condos make up Kitty City, and each has a litter box in a recessed hole. Every condo has a window, and just outside is a bird feeder to provide entertainment for feline guests.
Aaron says their success with Lucky’s comes from catering to what their customers want. They’ll prepare special diets of cooked chicken or raw eggs, and Joe adds, “We’ve been to McDonald’s to get double cheeseburgers.”
Though they don’t offer formal training, Lucky’s employees are able to work with animals on behavioral issues during their visits. For example, if a parent wants his dog to be socialized with other pups, he can request sessions of doggie day camp. Likewise, leash-walking skills are reinforced on trips to and from potty breaks.
Other benefits include on-site veterinary services, if needed, as well as Groomingdales, Lucky’s version of a hair salon that even provides a popular shower massage.
Peace of Mind
Melanie Newsome boards her Pekingese-mix Happy at Lucky’s often, and says her pup practically races her out of the car. “He knows where he’s going,” she says amid joyful dog kisses. “He’s happy to be here when I drop him off. He’s happy to see me when I come.”
Marilyn Belenky’s cockapoo and double-dapple miniature dachshund are regulars at the resort too. “I wouldn’t leave my dogs anywhere else,” she says. “There’s no place like Lucky’s.”
A Wedding with Hope
Every wedding ought to include hope, but Joe Strasser and Elizabeth Hildebrand have taken that sentiment more than literally. The couple credits an abused boxer named Hope with bringing them together, and Hope will be walking down the aisle during their May wedding.
When Joe and Aaron Strasser started their business, they wanted to give back to the community, Aaron says, and so they set aside runs to house six foster dogs. The Strassers work closely with SPCA of the Triad and Boxer Rescue to provide short-term boarding, kenneling, and food. Living at Lucky’s in foster care gives dogs the opportunity to socialize with people and other adoption dogs in an area separate from guests.
Sadly, Hope was found hog-tied and dumped on the side of the highway. Police officers gave her fluids, and for three days no one knew if she would survive. Boxer Rescue placed her at Lucky’s. Although Joe first put Hope in one of the adoption runs, he knew she wanted to be in a home, and decided to take her into his own.
Since Hope’s recovery, she has gone through extensive training that has prepared her to visit area nursing homes. “Hope had a tough puppyhood and was abused, and now she’s giving back to the community,” Joe says. “She came through. It takes a very special dog.”
In 2006, Joe contacted Friends Home West, where Hildebrand is an activities assistant, to see if they would be interested in pet therapy. In their first year of pet therapy, Lucky’s dogs logged 150 service hours throughout the community.
“The residents really love seeing Hope each week,” Joe says. She is especially gentle and doesn’t mind if someone pulls her ears or accidentally bumps her with a wheelchair, Hildebrand adds, “They don’t know Joe’s name, but they know Hope’s.”
Two weeks after they met in August 2006, Joe and Hildebrand went on their first date. That the boxer would be in the wedding was a given. “I love Hope,” Hildebrand says. “She’s the reason we’re together.”