Welcome to the second in my Small but Mighty series showcasing small Niagara businesses that cater to our awesome four-legged loves.

Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre is an amazing local business that does incredible things for their animal clients. I witnessed first-hand a number of their successes when I photographed over 30 of their canine clients for their fabulous client Wall of Fame! From dogs that are now frolicking and free of their wheelchairs; to post surgery pets that need special therapies, to dogs that just need to burn energy over the long winter months.

If your best friend is suffering, I’d highly recommend contacting Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre, They are kind, compassionate and knowledgable, trust me, both their human and four-legged clients love them.

Here are their answers to my questions!

How long have you been in business?

4.5 years

Why did you decide to work in canine rehabilitation?

Keri is a veterinarian and has been competing in dog sports with her pups since 2003, leading her to develop an interest in canine sports medicine and become certified in canine rehabilitation.

Barbara is a physiotherapist who is also an avid horse rider and has always shared her home with dogs. She often applied her physiotherapy skills to her own animals so it was a natural progression for her to become certified in canine rehabilitation.

As they began working in the field of canine rehabilitation, both Keri and Barbara quickly realized that there is a great need for these services in the Niagara Region. They also found that there were limitations to their abilities to provide these services on their own and in the venues available to them at the time.

A chance meeting at a rehab conference in early 2015 showed them they had a similar passion for rehabilitation therapy and vision for a dedicated animal rehabilitation facility. The Niagara Canine Conditioning Centre was born, the first full service rehab-only facility for pets in the Niagara Peninsula.

What products/services do you offer?

We provide:

• rehabilitation therapy for injuries and illnesses;
• fitness/conditioning programs for weight loss;
• general fitness and sports competition/working dogs;
• and recreational swimming.

We have all the modalities and equipment you would find in a human physiotherapy clinic, including therapeutic LASERs and ultrasounds, a heated pool and fully equipped gym.

We sell some fitness equipment and assistive devices such as the Help ‘Em Up Harness and wheelchairs. We also offer a rent-to-own program for our wheelchairs.

What do you think is the best thing about your business?

Dogs and cats alike benefit from the expertise and collaboration of therapists from both sides of the field and a facility which enables them to exercise year-round. We also have an incredible team that is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Where do you sell your products/services?

We are located at Unit 5A, 188 Bunting Rd. in St. Catharines.

Tell us something fun or interesting about your business?

We have a clinic bunny named Charles who likes to get the dogs in trouble by distracting them and teasing them.

Anything extra you’d like to add?

We love our senior patients! It’s hard to believe that winter will be here in just a few months. It is the hardest season on our elderly pets. We offer a great wellness program for senior dogs and cats to help keep them comfortable, mobile and safe all year round.

Do you have any pets of your own at home? If so, tell us about them!

Both Keri and Barbara share their homes with 2 cats. Barbara also has a 1.5 y.o. Retriever mix that was rescued from Egypt. Keri has 2 Boston Terriers: a 13 y.o. retired flyball dog and a 4 y.o. sporting dynamo! She also has a mixed breed, rescued from the Welland SPCA.

I’ve had the great fortune to meet and photograph a few of Keri and Barbara’s four-legged loves over the last few years, here are a few images so you can meet them! Check out their instagram feed to see some of their patients getting treatments!

You can find Niagara Canine Condition Centre here:

UPDATE: Dogtown is no longer in business.

Welcome to my Small but Mighty Business Series: the first of several posts that will showcase small Niagara businesses that cater to our awesome four-legged loves.

As a fellow small business owner, I want to shout out and support other small businesses that are striving to provide an exceptional customer experience, especially during these unusual times.

Lucca goes Dogtown for grooming, so I can attest to the passion and knowledge that the Wonder Women at Dogtown bring to the party.  Thanks to owner/operator Colleen Gallagher for participating in the series!

Here are their answers to my questions!

How long have you been in business?

Colleen Gallagher opened ‘Grooming by Colleen’ in Grimsby in February of 2013. As we expanded we changed our name to Dogtown and moved to a larger space in Jordan Village in the summer of 2017. We have loved every minute of it ! So nice to be out in wine country, a much more sPAW-like atmosphere!

Why did you decide to become a groomer?

Originally, I (Colleen) joined the animal care program at Sheridan College to begin the process of becoming a veterinarian. I quickly realized it was a bit too intense for me, mainly emotionally. I have a bleeding heart for animals and it breaks whenever I see an animal in distress or even worse, at the end of its life. I slayed the grooming course, I really enjoyed making puppies pretty and with the knowledge I gained from the other courses I took during that program, I was also able to educate clients not only about their dog’s skin & coat, but about parasites and illnesses, and to let them know if I see something else concerning health-wise that they may not ever notice.

It’s very rewarding to be an advocate for these innocent souls who can’t speak to let their owners know what’s going on with them!

What products/services do you offer?

We offer full service dog grooming, nail trimming, grooming consultations, as well as toys, treats and giftware. We try to stock mostly Canadian made products and we support local makers by carrying lots of consignment items!

What do you think is the best thing about your business?

There really is nothing like making a shaggy unkempt dog look and feel 5 years younger. Our favourite part of grooming (besides all the doggie kisses and cuddles) is when an owner comes in and squeals at the sight of their freshly pampered pup.

Where do you sell your products/services?

We have a brick and mortar salon at 3775 19th Street in Jordan Village! you can also follow us @DogtownJordan on Facebook and Instagram

Tell us something fun or interesting about your business?

Dogtown is a female-run business with an all-female staff! GIRL POWER ❤️

Anything extra you’d like to add?

Please spay and neuter your pets! Keep your pup on a regular grooming schedule, even if you think they don’t need it (short haired breeds), they do!

Do you have any pets of your own at home? If so, tell us about them!

Colleen has a rescue pup from Save Me dog rescue named Tulo (formerly Lanny).
He had a rough start to life in Kentucky, but he’s living the dream now! His favourite things are sleeping and snacking. His pet peeves are winter and flies (sky raisins! Just not the spicy ones)

Colleen also has an English Springer Spaniel named Walter. His favourite things are car rides and swimming. His pet peeves are Squirrels/Chipmunks and the vacuum!

Both pups have been photographed by Karen ❤️