The Ritz of Pet Resorts

Many dog owners want nothing but best for their pooches who, in many cases, are treated more like family members than pets. After all, dog is man’s best friend.

When owners leave on a trip and cannot bring Fido along – or even if they work long hours during the day – they have to make tough decisions on where to house their dog.

Kennels abound on Long Island, but very few are upscale facilities. Count in Mineola as one of them – maybe the only one of its kind in the area.

The facility may be the Ritz of pet hotels: a daily doggie day-care center as well as an extended-stay boarding service. Owners check in at the registration desk as if they were checking into a 5-star hotel.

Founded in 2008 by veterinarian Ray Polley and Wall Street executive C.J. Bocklet, the brick building at 244 Herricks Road underwent a $5 million conversion into a high-tech, hotel-style concept, complete with disinfectant-spraying central wet vac and an air-filtration system that exchanges the air eight times every hour. A veterinary hospital on premises and 24-hour staffing assures pet owners that their dogs are getting the best of care.

One important note: dogs do not go outside during their stay. This is a precaution against dogs suddenly breaking free and running into traffic. The dogs do their business in special pens with artificial grass.

Best In Show was a hit from the get-go, according to general manager Christina Lovari, who said the “need was there” for this type of facility. The kennel can accommodate 100 animals at full capacity. “No other facility in Nassau can say that,” Lovari said.

Pampering abounds. Classical music is piped into all the accommodations, which include the 4ft. by 4-ft., $46-a-night “Classic rooms,” to the four-by-eight large glass-walled suites that go for $78 a night. The Presidential Suite, a 10-by-10 facility with bed and chair, is $88 a night. The dogs enjoy twice-daily playgroups in a rubber-matted exercise room.

There is individual playtime ($20 for 20 minutes), Jog-a-Dog Walk ($20 for 15 minutes), Yappy Hour ($5, which includes dog-friendly beer and pizza), and frozen fruit smoothies ($1 each). There is also a $15 Bedtime Package (story, tummy rub and tuck-in service, and potty break); a $15 daily Splash Package (15 minute individual pool time and smoothie); or a $15 Posh Kittie Package (snack, hairbrush, catnip and toy time). They even have dog birthday parties complete with party hats.

Human beings should have it so good.

The staff works with the dogs on obedience and socialization. “We do a lot of leash work,” Lovari said. “We have a lot of puppies who grow with us. It’s nice to get started at a young age.”

Best In Show does grooming, with prices ranging from $52 for short-hair breeds to $87 for long-haired breeds. All grooming appointments come with the resort’s spa bath which include a comb-out, bathing beauty wash, ear cleaning, nail trim, hand and surround air drying. They even use a special oatmeal tearless shampoo in various scents that come with moisturizers for $10 each.

À la carte services also exist: nail trimming ($10), tooth brushing ($10), blueberry vanilla facials ($10), and exit baths ($25 to $45).

“We send you home with a clean dog,” Lovari said.

At the end of the boarding stay, owners get a report card of their dog’s activities including photos of them at play. Best In Show Pet Resort even has car service. The charge is $20 for the first three miles and $3 for each additional mile.