Courtney McWilliams open MaryMac ’s Doggie Retreat — Louisiana ’s only Black - possess doggie day care and spa dress shop — just before the pandemic . That leap of faith paid off .
What started as an periodic dearie - seat table service blossomed into a full - overhaul bow-wow day care , all because of the love of ashih tzu .
In 2015 , Courtney McWilliams , a New Orleans native , was quest for her schoolmaster ’s degree in societal work , but her spare-time activity was dog posture . She interrelate to preferent parent ' trust on responsible sitter because her shih tzu , Gabbana , now 14 , used to experienceseparation anxiety , societal anxiety , andcouldn’t be around other dogs .
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As a social proletarian , McWilliams often rede children with anxiousness and clinical depression and wondered if the same techniques could work on hot dog . So , taking a leap of religious belief , she leave her master ’s program to openMaryMac ’s Doggie Retreatas a full - time venture to provide to other preferent parents who take a trusted guardian for their pups , specially those lovable furballs who call for a piffling extra attention because ofanxiety .
McWilliams usesenrichment activity , individualized attention , and little mathematical group configurations in afear - freeenvironment to serve pooch adapt not only to the day care atmosphere but also a new way of life . It ’s a successful technique she set off teaching other doggie daycare and pet owners .
" Dog owner are goingback to workand sense guilty because they have to give their dog home alone for an extended amount of prison term . This causes a lot of strain for both the owner and the dog , " McWilliams toldNola.comin an entrepreneurial visibility . " ' Pawrent ' guilty conscience and dog separation anxiety is tangible . "
McWilliams started MaryMac ’s flagship storefront in 2019 with just three clients — now she has more than 700 and an extensive wait list ! Even during the pandemic , hergrooming , boarding , and daycare service proved indispensable to hard - working kin . As Louisiana ’s first Black - owned doggie daycare and spa , McWilliams is grateful for the opportunity to elaborate her business , too — not only in New Orleans but also throughout the southerly U.S.
" MaryMac ’s Doggie Retreat prides itself on caring for hotdog as if they were their own , " McWilliams say in her Nola interview .
Also during the pandemic , a homeless dog appear on her doorsill , and McWilliams ' great canine love meant she could n’t turn her away . Now trivial Bella Rose , aMorkie(which is aYorkshire terrierandMaltesemix ) , trots alongside Gabbana and is up for whatever McWilliams has on tap ! Because no matter how high her star rises , this combat-ready businesswoman is first and firstly a majestic dog mammy .
