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At Camp Bow Wow, Goal Is To Get Tails Wagging, Not Dragging

Photo provided by DEREK MAUL

Terry and Doris Darga, left, and camp counselor Eugenia Paszek play with the dogs.

By DEREK MAUL

Tribune correspondent

Published: April 1, 2009

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RIVERVIEW - When Doris and Terry Darga started planning their retirement, they had two goals in mind: moving to Florida and owning their own business.

They both had experienced enough Michigan winters when an inviting franchise opportunity caught dog-lover Doris' eye.

"It was Feb. 7, 2005," she said. "I was looking for a dentist on a radio station Web site, and I saw the picture of the Camp Bow Wow mascot, Scout. I'd always wanted to do my own thing, franchises were available, and we haven't stopped since."

Camp Bow Wow, a Colorado-based kennel company launched by entrepreneur Heidi Flammang in 2001, has sold 250 franchises to date. About 100 already are in operation.

"They've got it together," Doris Darga said. "Their 'All about the dogs' concept is something different. We're in it because we love the dogs, and we take what we do seriously.

"The uniqueness is the all-day play environment," she said. "The dogs are 'campers.' Owners are 'parents.' The staff are 'camp counselors.' And they're assigned 'cabins,' not crates."

The Dargas built a $1.6 million, state-of-the-art facility at 12218 Balm Riverview Road with the sole purpose of caring for pooches.

The grand opening was March 21, but the camp has been open for business since October.

"Our capacity is 125 dogs," Doris Darga said. "We'd like to see at least 30 for day care every day. We train our camp counselors, we watch them via Web cam and we go the extra mile."

Being able to check in on their dogs via Web cam is just one of the many ways the Dargas guarantee owners their pets are well cared for when they spend a day or more at camp.

There is one counselor for every 15 dogs, plus indoor-outdoor screened play areas and back-up generators in case of power loss.

"We give medications, and campers have a campfire treat if they stay the night," she said. "We'll even crawl into a cabin and hand-feed a dog. Everything is all-inclusive, and we offer a 10 percent discount to active-duty military personnel."

The couple also does community service. Bow Wow Buddies is a foundation designed to find every dog his or her forever home - no dog left behind.

"We work with rescue organizations and currently have four foster-care dogs camping with us," Doris Darga said.

The couple have enjoyed long careers with Ford Credit Vehicle Financing. Terry retired after 34 years, and Doris has 27 years so far.

They are admittedly nervous about launching a new business during an economic downturn, but they're bullish about Bow Wow.

"Once people find out about us, they're going to be in here," Doris Darga said. "We made the commitment in 2005, and there was no turning back. I like to think we're the leader in the improvement of the pet climate in the USA.

"When you put your pet in our hands, we're an extension of your hands."

Both Dargas say they couldn't be happier.

"This beats any office job on the planet."