Ellen & Mike Adlam opened the Blue Moose Lakeside Lodge many years ago and as their interests in health care and canines evolved they opened the first Bed & Biscuit for canines eight years ago at their lakeside lodge location. “It far exceeded our expectations,” Ellen told the Dispatch in an interview, “We’ve continually expanded our facility to meet the demand until we realized we needed a place in town to do doggie day care. A place where dogs can come and be in doors with a space to run, play and be trained. We’ve learned a lot over the years and have changed our methods in the process, we’ve realized that dogs, if you listen will tell you what they need,” she said. Adlam says that when she started the business no degree was required to do anything but now she has become a certified dog trainer with two other certified trainers on staff, “Our staff knows what we are doing and we do it well, that’s why we have had such growth and success.” Ellen’s career in health care and her innovative skills have led to what she says is the first facility of its kind anywhere in the country, “We have combined a dog daycare facility with the first indoor friendly dog walking tracks, where you drop off your dog for the day and the arena is designed by my husband so they have a place to play indoors when it’s cold or rainy where you can come and walk your dogs, so not only is your dog well exercised but you can mark your laps as well and if you have any issues our trainers are here to help you and everyone goes home happy,” said Adlam.
The new Blue Moose Bed & Biscuit also has a vision of becoming more than a day care for canines and the people they own to come and walk and play, “We want to create a community space. We are right next to the Riverside Assisted Living facility and one of the things we are really excited about is our Gentle Walking program where we let our elders come and enjoy our walking track and have some dogs that they can love and spend some time with. We will have therapy dogs on site for that purpose. I have been in health care for many years and I understand the benefit of animal/people therapy, having the unconditional love of an animal with the purpose and job of interacting with it is very important in healing and the overall value and quality of life. So we are creating opportunities for people to walk and be around dogs with our trainers here to assist,” explained Adlam.
The new Blue Moose Bed & Biscuit even has a doggie lounge simply for the rest and relaxation of their clients. And if you want to have lunch and walk off a few calories with a favorite pet the new Woof City Café is just the place, “Soup, salad and a walk with a dog and it won’t cost a paw and a tail. It’s a new concept we’re very excited about and we’re asking for input from folks to help us figure out and customize it for what people want, it’s a work in progress,” said Adlam.
To learn more about Mike & Ellen Adlam’s new Blue Moose Bed & Biscuit in the former roller skating rink in Soldotna on Lovers Lane, call 262-8245 or stop by and experience it for yourself.
