Dr. Amber Bartlett might not be able to exactly talk to the animals, but she certainly understands them. Bartlett, founder and owner of The Barker House in Plympton, grew up in the South with a zookeeper father who worked in Walt Disney World. He often cared for sick and injured animals in the home and passed on this compassion and respect for all creatures to Bartlett. The love of animals has been a constant throughout her life even if it wasn’t always her career.
With a corporate career in Boston and a layoff in 2007 Bartlett found herself enjoying walking her two dogs at the time (she now has five). People often asked who walked her dogs and were surprised when she replied that she walked them herself. This gave Bartlett an idea. With a “nothing to lose” attitude she decided to make and post flyers around the city advertising a dog walking service. Others joked that dog walking was not a lucrative business but her response? “Oh yes, it is! I had over one hundred clients in a year!” On an occasion where Bartlett needed to board her dogs she quickly realized there were no dog care businesses that offered the things she felt were important to her and her dogs’ well-being. Being a natural entrepreneur in addition to being a self-proclaimed “crazy dog lady” Bartlett saw an opportunity and the idea for The Barker House was born.
Later, Bartlett decided to sell her dog walking business and trade the cityscape for country roads. In 2019 her realtor found an antique home with an outbuilding and beautiful acreage in Plympton. “I had never even heard of Plympton but when I saw this place I could feel it. It was perfect for what I envisioned.”
Bartlett continued her corporate career and built The Barker House on the side. Shortly after purchasing the property Covid hit and she wondered if she would have to back out of her plans. She decided to persevere. “I just kept going,” she says, “And it filled a need for a one-stop-shop in dog care in the area so it worked.” The Barker House was a fast and great success and Bartlett outgrew her space after just one year and required expansion.
Bartlett’s success with The Barker House is not only attributed to smart business decisions, but because she offers a truly unique and wholesome mindset to the world of dog care. “I wanted it to be special -to be different. I wanted to offer comfort and things like suites and one on one playtime and a curated menu. These dogs are people’s children and I want them to feel good about leaving them with us.”
Bartlett certainly affords every pup that enters The Barker House an experience of love and attention to detail. Private suites for those that do best with them, farm fresh eggs, nightlights and calming music in the evenings, and snuggle sessions are just a few of the thoughtfully curated offerings available. The Barker House also accommodates dogs with special needs such as dog-aggressive guests who need safe solitude. These dogs are kept apart from the other dogs but given plenty of individual attention and outside time as well as lots of physical touch and snuggles so they never feel isolated.
The daycare program at The Barker House includes mostly outdoor, crate-free playtime as well as training to obey basic commands and interaction with other dogs. Bartlett makes sure each pup is allowed to choose their friends, toys, and activities. The Barker House also accepts dogs for their daycare program based on behavior, not breed. When it comes to the behaviors of dogs and her own experience in motherhood Bartlett has noticed similarities. “Doggy daycare is really similar to human daycare! Sometimes they arrive cranky and they don’t want to play with their friends, or they are wound up, or they have anxiety that day…their social structures are very similar to humans.” Bartlett also points out that dogs are particularly emotionally intelligent and intuitive creatures. “They know when their owner has pulled into the driveway to pick them up at the end of the day just by the sound of the car.”
The Barker House offers so much to furry friends and their humans, but most of all Bartlett offers respect and reverence for all dogs. “Dogs are full of unconditional love. They offer uninhibited comfort and companionship. They also feed off of our energy and emotions. If we are uptight and exhibiting anxiety, a dog will behave the same way.” Bartlett shares that even when she has dealt with tragically mistreated dogs who have been rescued there is an underlying theme to all dogs. “They all want the same thing. They want to love and be loved.”
Bartlett knows the importance of making sure your canine family members are properly loved and cared for -even when their humans are away. Her advice for anyone looking for dog care of any kind? “Make sure you see it. You should see the place before leaving your dog there. The dog care world is small. I have seen things and…you must see a place before leaving your dog there. Be very clear about your dog’s needs and personality. What kind of space do they need? Are they dog aggressive? What are their health needs? Also be glad when places require certain vaccinations. This means your dog will be kept healthy during their stay.”
Bartlett’s approach to dog care is a refreshing combination of physical and emotional, and logic is as important as love. When asked what she thinks dogs would tell humans if they could talk, she laughs, “Get over yourselves! Their biggest concern is being able to love you. Dogs would tell us to slow down and be grateful for the time we have.”
Affection and gratitude for every dog that stays at The Barker House is what focuses and drives Bartlett’s business and fuels her passion. “I have what I call my ‘OG’ group. They were with me in the beginning as puppies -some only 12 weeks old, and now they are five years old! They are family. I love spoiling your dogs. I love what I do.”
For more information on The Barker House visit the website:
thebarkerhousedogs@gmail.com or call: (508) 866-0605