Jennifer Morgan has always been a dog person. She even went through Lyman Hall’s vocational agriculture program to learn to work with animals, eventually getting a degree in animal care and management in college.
“My entire career line has been based toward working with dogs,” said Morgan, who lives in North Haven with husband, 17-month-old daughter, two great Danes, a Boston terrier and two cats. “I never knew you could have a degree in this field and work with dogs on all different levels. Now I know animal behavior, first aid, grooming, kennel management and more.”
Morgan has certainly been putting her degree to good use as she has been the pet stylist and grooming manager at Metro Pooch in North Branford for the past two months. According to the Metro Pooch’s website, Metro Pooch “features an off-leash, fully supervised dog day camp (day care for dogs), overnight boarding in luxury hotel-like suites and a full-service Dog Grooming spa.”
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Kristen Delea has owned the facility, which is located in an industrial park off Foxon Road, for the past two years.
“We’re in an industrial building, but when you walk in the door, it’s a whole other world,” said Morgan. “We have an upscale New York style – it’s very classy with suites that you’d want your dog to stay in overnight.”
In addition to the grooming area and the boarding suites, there are two playrooms for those in Doggie Day Camp. There are at least two staff members in each room who supervise the “pack.”
The campers are kept on a schedule during Day Camp hours (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.), playing in the morning and afternoon and taking a siesta from noon to 2 p.m. During naptime and at night, there is dimmed mood-lighting and canine lullabies played in the boarding suites.
“There are suites built into the wall – like a den – with heated floors,” said Morgan. “Kristen is so motivated to make the dogs comfortable.”
And if you like to check in on your pooch during his stay, you can check out the live webcam.
When you visit Metro Pooch, you can find Morgan in many different roles. Whether she’s in the front lobby welcoming guests, grooming or supervising the playroom, she is happy to be there.
“I get to work with the dogs, which is what I’ve always wanted to do,” said Morgan. “Working in North Branford is great because it’s such a nice, quiet, close-knit community.”
