NEWS RELEASE
MARA’S DOG SERVICE
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As Innisfil residents have navigated sweltering temperatures over the past weeks, one local business owner is ensuring furry family members are staying cool while exploring the nature of the region.
Mara Mittendorf, owner and operator of Mara’s Dog Service and longtime dog-training professional, knows the importance of keeping dogs safe, while ensuring they are provided the exercise, socialization, and the mental discovery they need to be their best selves.
“A dog walk for me is one hour or more in the forest, giving dogs the freedom of off leash or a long line to burn some energy, play with friends, and explore their natural area, which engages them on so many levels,” said Mittendorf.
She and her team pick up five to seven groups of dogs per day (five to eight dogs per group) and bring them to secured forested and field areas with river access, allowing dogs unique and supervised experiences to swim, run, and play with a pack, before being dropped back at their homes.
This appreciation of nature and its importance for dog development started for Mara in her hometown of Versmold, Germany (a small town in the northwest of the country). Mara began her journey with dogs with her own reactive rescue named Quax, and from there, kindled a passion for training that she would formalize over the years. Working for a training organization, she taught puppy and group classes, and did some boarding. But in 2016 when her partner was offered a job in the Greater Toronto Area, the family made the decision to leave Germany, and immigrate to Canada.
“While his company is located in Vaughan, I have always loved living in a more rural setting, so when we drove through Innisfil during a visit to find a home, I said, ‘Here. I want to live here,’” said Mittendorf, who has been in Innisfil ever since.
Once immigrated, she made the decision to become an entrepreneur for the one thing she was most passionate about — dogs. Since then, she’s continued her professional development, completing training courses in agility, trick training, obedience, rally obedience, behavioural training and first aid for dogs.
But for Mara, it’s the dogs that teach her the most of all.
“Dogs are always honest and teach you things about them, and yourself. Some dogs love everyone and some you have to work with to have a good relationship. It is amazing how different every dog is, and even after over 10 years working in the dog business, I still learn new things from new dogs. Working with dogs will never get boring.”
That passion and care come through to her clients as well.
“Our dog loves his group walks and always comes home tired,” said Meaghan, a client of Mara’s Dog Service. “Whether he’s been swimming or playing in the dirt, I can always trust that Mara and her team will keep him safe, and bring him back clean. I also appreciate seeing photos of his adventures online.”
It’s that kind of regular feedback that continues to drive Mara to provide the best experiences for Innisfil’s dogs, and peace of mind for families.
“We want to give dogs an hour of paradise with every walk, but we know owners are cautious and they should be. That is why we test and train every new dog that joins our pack walks, start them slowly on long lines to ensure they are ready for off-leash experiences, and have the option to wear GPS tracking collars. Every team member spends time with every dog, so we become a family that cares for clients’ dogs as much as they do. It’s a real privilege to have them in our care, allowing them to have some of the best days in the beautiful, natural settings of our area.”
For more information about dog walk options through Mara’s Dog Service, visit maras-dogservice.com.
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