Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Fama.
Hi Nikki, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My partner and I had a lifelong dream to help dogs in some way. I spent years as a vet tech, and dog handler. As a vet tech, I trained under a holistic vet and helped with nutritional consultations, along with standard medical issues. During COVID, I began experiencing compassion fatigue and left the medical side of pet care. I still wanted to help dogs live and thrive! When the opportunity came to open my own facility and focus on loving the animals in my care, I jumped on it! We opened Duval Dogs Daycare and Boarding in April 2024, and haven’t looked back! Duval Dogs is a family-owned and operated facility founded on the principle that dogs are precious and unique members of our families, and deserve to be treated as such! We strive to make every guest feel as comfortable as possible while they are away from home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We started renovations to the building we found, as it was in disrepair. We did what work we knew how, and learned much of what we did along the way. It was challenging yet rewarding to know that the time invested would make our facility bright and welcoming for our guests and their families. Our goal is a calming environment where dogs can feel comfortable and play, or relax if they choose to.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a doggie daycare and boarding facility, we see many dogs come in that have never been to a facility before, and sometimes they deal with anxiety. We like to focus on why they are anxious, and work with them to alleviate those symptoms. It’s important to me to build a bond with each and every guest that visits us. Once they learn to trust me, and my partner, Dave, they realize this is a safe environment where they can feel loved even when they are away from home. It builds confidence here and at home, allows them to learn to play with others, and socialize appropriately. I think this sets Duval Dogs apart from the others because we truly value every guest and care about them as if they are one of our own dogs.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My life partner, David Cushman, has been heading up the paperwork and handling dogs from the start! He is my rock! My daughter Lauren Gonzolas and her husband Austin have also helped tremendously! They helped us renovate, handle the front desk, promote marketing, and make homemade treats!
Pricing:
- Daycare half day $25
- Daycare full day (12 hours) $45
- 5 Full day package $175
- Boarding $65/night all inclusive
- $450 10/night package all inclusive
Contact Info:
- Website: www.duvaldogs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duvaldogsdb/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558707991098
