About Southern Hospetality

Services

Training and rehabilitation sit next to boarding. The behavior pitch is direct: "Is undesirable behavior ruining the relationship you have with your dog? We will help you identify the root of the problem and work with you to find practical solutions to modify your dog's behavior." Boarding is the other half of the business and is deliberately social – "We offer social, group-play centered boarding at our private, 9 acre mini farm in Afton!", described as "rustic summer camp for dogs!". Beyond the paid services the site publishes a set of free ones: "FREE RESCUE PLACEMENT", "FOSTER CARE", "ADOPTION COUNSELING", "LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER" and "SANCTUARY".

Where they work

A private farm on the Rockfish Gap side of the catchment, given as "376 Mountain Road Afton, Va. 22920". The facilities are described in detail: "Our full sized suites are 4×12 with both an indoor (climate controlled) and outdoor section", plus an indoor crate option for smaller dogs, and "There are 2 large fenced in play yards so your dog will have plenty of opportunity to run around, sniff and play."

Good to know

The boarding model is grouped, and the site is unusually honest about who it does not suit. "Dogs are paired with other dogs for group socialization based on size, energy level and play style", group sizes "will typically range from 2 to 8 dogs", and "We do not accept dogs that are dog aggressive" – dogs that simply do not enjoy other dogs can be accepted case by case after an in-person meet and greet. There is no indoor play space, the fencing is "standard residential height (4 ft tall)", and the site states plainly that if your dog "is a known escape artist (fence climber or fence jumper) – doggy camp is not the right fit". Small dogs need to be over roughly ten pounds. The about page says "Southern HosPETality is owned and operated by Chris Kirtley", who describes creating the business in 2011 and adding the farm and kennel space in 2014, with a background in shelter behavioral assessment; that account is the business's own.