International Boarding & Pet Services Association

International Boarding & Pet Services Association

The International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA) provides resources, expertise, staff education and training, certifications, and legislative support to businesses, industries for the pet care services industry. IBPSA members include owners and employees of pet boarding and daycare facilities, groomers, dog walkers, pet sitters, veterinarians, trainers, and holistic care pet care providers. Knowing that a facility is IBPSA supported facility, you know you can put your full trust in these people with your family pet. Just like you would ask a million questions when choosing the perfect daycare for your child, you should ask just as many when choosing a facility for your pet. No matter how long they stay, a day or week, you should know who is taking care of them. Listed below are a few questions you should ask when choosing a pet boarding facility.

Questions to Ask

• Is the facility a member of an association for boarding, doggie daycare, grooming or training?
• How long has the facility been in business?
• As you tour the facility, is it clean, sanitary, and secure?
• What types of cleaning products do the kennel use, and are they pet safe?
• Are there security fences around the boarding area?
• Does the facility have an evacuation plan for both on-site and off-site evacuations?
• Does the facility have a fire abatement program? And, if so, how often is it checked?
• What type of animal care training does the staff receive?
• What is the staff-to-pet ratio (how many pets per employee do they staff for)?
• Does your dog have its own run or suite, or will your pet be housed in a crate?
• Will your dog be with other dogs not related to your pet, and how much contact will there be with other dogs?
• What if your pet requires medication during its stay, how will those be administered?
• What services does the facility offer?
• If your dog requires grooming, what options does the facility offer?
• Does the facility have a dedicated grooming area for the pets to reduce stress during the process?

Diamonds in the Ruff

We are happy to announce that we are members of IBPSA and couldn’t be any happier. Feel free to come by and ask us your million questions and check out our facility. We provide professional grooming, doggie daycare, and pet boarding in Abilene. Feel free to visit our Facebook page and have a look at our happy clients.

Shampoo Products for Dogs

Shampoo Products for Dogs

Labrador Training HQ- Bathing your dog is just as important as bathing yourself. It gives you the chance to check your dog for wounds, skin conditions, infections, or lesions. And more than likely they will enjoy it. One thing you should not do is use human shampoo and conditioner. Human shampoos can strip your dog’s skin of their natural oils. Human shampoos are formulated with chemicals that are too harsh for dogs. Using the right shampoo with soothing ingredients like oatmeal, aloe vera, or hydrocortisone can help relieve your dog's itching caused by inflammation, insect bites and hot spots. The occasional use of human shampoo might not be harmful but, frequent use of human products can be harmful to your dog and certainly won’t do the condition of their skin and coat any favors. In case you do have an emergency and don’t have dog shampoo, try to opt for mild formulations used on babies and children.

You should bathe your dog depending on their lifestyle, habits, and breed. Dogs that spend more time indoors may need to be bathed less frequently. Double-coated breeds, such as Labs, should really only be bathed every three months – or even less often – unless they get particularly smelly. Their oily double coats will dry out from too much shampooing, depleting the insulating, protective properties and waterproofing their coat has. The dog’s skin can dry out with frequent washes, causing their fur to become dry and brittle. The dryness of their skin could lead to irritation, scratching, and possibly lesions. If you don’t bathe your dog as needed that could lead to health risk. Dog’s absorb allergens through their skin, unlike humans. And just like frequent washing, this can lead to irritations, scratching and eventually – in extreme cases – lesions.

We Are Professionals

Labrador Training HQ has listed a few of the best dog shampoos and conditioners for your furry animal. But if you don’t have the time or patience, bring them to us. Our staff at Diamonds in the Ruff know what they are doing and are equipped with all the right products for your dog. So if you're looking for a professional dog groomer in Abilene look no further. Visit our website at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com to see all that we have to offer.

Service Dogs

Service Dogs

Guardian Angels- Service dogs do more than just guide the blind, I’m sure a large part of the population thinks that’s all they are meant for. Keep in mind that therapy dogs are not the same as service dogs. Service dogs have many other jobs and go through extensive training to be apart of this amazing job. Since 2010, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs has been rescuing, raising, training and then donating individually trained medical service dogs to veterans and others struggling with a myriad of disabilities.

Guardian Angels dogs are trained to do various jobs as medical service dogs such as:

• Alerting for help
• Alerting prior to a seizure
• Diabetic alert
• Open/close doors, drawers and refrigerators
• Pick up dropped items
• Assist with balance issues
• Mitigate the challenges of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) including:
• Shielding
• Grounding from anxiety/panic attacks and flashbacks
• Waking from nightmares
• Assist those with autism and so much more

I’m sure you have seen videos of these animals helping their owners while having a seizure or help them cope after suffering from one. It’s amazing to watch them in action. These service dogs are allowed to go anywhere that the general public goes, by law. This can include restaurants, hotels, taxis, sports facilities, and so one. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that businesses allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are allowed. If questioned, tell them that your dog is a service dog. Also, by law, a business is not allowed to ask what your disability is. They are also allowed to travel on any public transit with their owner. It’s safe to say these hard working animals give some hope of normalcy, self-confidence, and independence to those who are vulnerable to a disability or illness. This support system saves lives in so many ways.

Amazing Angles

These dogs serve their owners with love, skill, and dedication to save their lives. It’s a service that should continue and be embraced by the public without any scrutiny. At Diamonds in the Ruff, we understand the importance of what these dogs do. And if your angle is in need of pet grooming in Abilene, come by or visit us at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com and treat them to the best that we have to offer.