Central Bark is Colorado Springs' second oldest dog daycare, open since October 2001. Sharon purchased the business in May 2004, and is a working owner. She may be the one checking your dog in or out, or swinging a mop on the playfloor, or in the grooming room doing a bath/brushout. At the end of the day when you pick your dog up, she’ll help him or her work on “sit” and “stay” commands. Sharon understands dogs, and she believes the most important thing for her business is the health and well being of your dog. Dogs come first at Central Bark, so if you’re expecting a fancy lobby you may be disappointed.
Sharon’s relationship with dogs started in childhood. She grew up with a Brittany Spaniel named Zodi and a Golden Retriever named Heidi. When Sharon was around 12 years old, her dad took Sharon and Heidi to dog training classes at Lyons Township Obedience Training Club (in a Chicago suburb). Sharon and Heidi earned the Companion Dog obedience title, including a tie for High in Trial with a score of 199 (out of 200) – they lost the run-off and had to settle for second. Sadly, with 2 legs on her CDX, Heidi was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and was retired from obedience competition.
As an adult Sharon is very active in the dog community. She owns, breeds, and shows Bernese Mountain Dogs, the loves of her life. She has been very active in her breed’s local and national breed clubs and served on both boards. She currently lives with 2 Berners: Sapphire’s Fire N Ice (“Kiva”, almost 4 years old) and Tanzanite Ghostess With The Mostess ("Mystic", born Halloween 2008 to Kiva). Now that she is owner of Central Bark, her love affair with her Berners continues and she partakes in her club activities as time allows. Her dogs are shown in AKC conformation shows to earn the Champion (CH) title, AKC obedience trials to earn the Companion Dog title (CD), and Bernese Mountain Dog Club draft trials to earn the Novice Draft Dog (NDD) title.
In March 2009 a new dog, not a Berner, joined her family - Birke, a long-haired German Shepherd. Like one of her early Berners, Birke only has one eye. Birke, now 4 years old, had attended Central Bark since he was a pup. He lost his eye because he chewed on a stick as a teething puppy, and a splinter of wood worked its way in and severed his optic nerve. Sharon always had a soft spot for Birke, as her dog Zyla had lost an eye to malignant melanoma. Before Birke's owner passed away due to an incurable, degenerative disease, he brought Birke and his 1-year-old Golden Murphy to Central Bark and asked Sharon to make sure they had good homes. Murphy went to live with a Central Bark client whose heart had finally healed after losing her own beloved Golden Max. Birke stayed with Sharon, where he is adored by "his girls" Kiva and Mystic.
Sharon has a Biology degree from Colorado College, and an MBA with emphasis in Information Systems from the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs. Her first job after graduating from CC was working as a veterinary assistant at Pikes Peak Veterinary Clinic for two years. Later she worked in the IT industry at Digital Equipment Corporation, Compaq, and Ciber for over 20 years. She understands the stress working professionals deal with, and tries to make Central Bark a friendly place for the owners as well as their dogs. So, if you’re running late for pickup, give her a call. If she doesn’t already have other plans, she’ll probably be able to accommodate your schedule, with no “dollar by the minute” fees.
Sharon’s philosophy is that dog daycare is all about individual attention and service. It is a more expensive boarding option than a traditional kennel where dogs are kept in separate runs 24 hours a day. That is why there are no extra charges to give medications. Also, if your dog has a vet appointment scheduled for a day that it’s at Central Bark, Sharon is happy to take the dog to its appointment at no extra charge. If you need something for your dog, please ask! |
