SHARE

'Yappy Hour' By The Pool: Welcome To Wag Central Of Stratford

STRATFORD, Conn. — Has Rover been on his best behavior lately? Is Lulu in need of a new summer ‘do?

A happy boarder gets an 'exit wash' before being picked up by his owner at Wag Central.

A happy boarder gets an 'exit wash' before being picked up by his owner at Wag Central.

Photo Credit: Meredith Guinness
Owner Angela Pantalone, left, gives a tour of Wag Central, an inventive new doggy spa/salon/kennel in Stratford.

Owner Angela Pantalone, left, gives a tour of Wag Central, an inventive new doggy spa/salon/kennel in Stratford.

Photo Credit: Meredith Guinness
Stratford dignitaries were on hand for the official ribbon cutting at Wag Central.

Stratford dignitaries were on hand for the official ribbon cutting at Wag Central.

Photo Credit: Meredith Guinness
No, they're not oranges. A bevy of balls tempts clients at Wag Central in Stratford.

No, they're not oranges. A bevy of balls tempts clients at Wag Central in Stratford.

Photo Credit: Meredith Guinness
Wag Central features a cafe and retail space for its clients human friends.

Wag Central features a cafe and retail space for its clients human friends.

Photo Credit: Meredith Guinness
Owner Angela Pantalone, center, shows visitors the pooch pool at Wag Central in Stratford.

Owner Angela Pantalone, center, shows visitors the pooch pool at Wag Central in Stratford.

Photo Credit: Meredith Guinness
Wag Central offers a luxury bunk room for pampered pups.

Wag Central offers a luxury bunk room for pampered pups.

Photo Credit: Meredith Guinness

Well, whisk them away to Wag Central, a new Hathaway Drive doggy daycare/salon that’s sure to have their tails wagging double time.

“This is a second home for your dog,” owner Angela Pantalone said of the former heating and cooling business that’s had a top-to-bottom renovation to cater to pampered pooches across the region.

The site offers everything from grooming, boarding and training to daycare, a self-wash, indoor and outdoor play spaces, parties and a specially modeled pool for puppy paddling.

The play park is open rain or shine and you can plan a play date with a friend or let Wag staff do the matchmaking with an appropriate play partner. Limits are placed on the size of the pack and the space is constantly monitored by a staff member.

After a Wag Central “quest” to determine your furry friend’s sea-worthiness, the paddle pool is the place to be for supervised splashing. Dogs can sign up for puppy swim classes, block out a private dip or learn the ropes on a paddle board or boat.

Twenty minutes of paddling is the equivalent to four hours or fetching Frisbees in the backyard, according to Pantalone.

“It’s really good for them,” she said.

Boarding runs the gamut from $55-a-night stackable crates in “The NYC” to the $85-a-night “Canis Major and Canis Minor” luxury suites. Add-ons include everything from 10 minutes of one-on-one belly rubs to bedtime stories and snacks.

And Wag Central will customize its services to your dog’s exacting needs. You can even plan a sleepover birthday party — complete with disco ball.

Wag Central partners with a Fairfield veterinarian who can offer vaccinations and some staffers specialize to make sure your puppy or senior has his specific needs met. An on-site kitchen is available for nutritious meals and home-baked treats.

A daycare service runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and dog’s can expect a predictable day of fun, Pantalone said.

“The dogs have a schedule similar to a children’s daycare,” she said. “Everything is planned out. We bring pools outside.

“I think we have bubbles later.”

Wag Central is located at 80 Hathaway Drive. For more information call 203-377-1700 or visit www.wagcentralct.com.  

to follow Daily Voice Newtown and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE