Get to Know Us

Officially launched in August of 2012 Dog Bed & Breakfast is your alternative dog boarding and doggie daycare destination in Port Charlotte. We are a hands–on, comfortable home style environment. Our facility is around 1,700 square feet and we offer plenty of indoor and outdoor activities and lots of love to make your dogs stay enjoyable.

Michael Wilson is the Managing Partner/Owner of Dog Bed & Breakfast LLC with over 15 years’ experience working with animals in animal hospitals, shelters, kennels and grooming facilities. Michael is a graduate of the Veterinary Technical Institute's Small Animal Technician diploma program.

Why We're Different

As the owner I am on property 7 days a week and work hand in paw with your dog.  I have over 20 years of professional experience working with dogs.  I'm not just here for a "paycheck" I'm here because I LOVE what I do and love the dogs and customers and relationships we've developed along the way.  Every bowel movement, uruination, or vomit is an opportunity to keep on top of your furry friend's health and maybe catch something before it becomes an issue. Sorry, maybe I've said too much :P

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Michael’s Story

My biggest detriment to advancing in the veterinary field was my unwillingness to leave the animals “in the back”, unattended, unloved, and bored to "go up front" to help with routine animal checkups. I was happier in the kennel area making sure everyone had water, a chance for some fresh air and to make sure their cages were clean.

Not to brag or anything, but if I ever came back as a dog, I would pray for an owner/friend like me. I had a dog years ago that has since passed away named Wilson (adopted with that name so he became Wilson Wilson). I adopted Wilson during a time when two family members were diagnosed with cancer. I felt I needed a pick-me-up, and that's what he did for me. He helped me through a very rough time. So then when he was around 6 or 7 he suffered some sort of spinal illness/damage and lost mobility of his rear legs. Three days into his hospital stay he had a slight reaction to a foot pad pressure test that indicated some feeling was there.

Wilson Wilson remained a very happy dog and very slowly kept showing signs of improvement. So I kept being supportive of him just like he was supportive of me when I needed it. I worked with him on physical therapy, while performing other duties many others might not find so pleasant. Over time Wilson learned to use a doggy wheelchair while slowly building muscle back to his legs to just be able to stand again and finally walk again. From a situation that first seemed dismal, we ended up having another six happy years together. And thus began my realization of what I was truly meant to do with my life.

A friend of mine shared what was going on with Wilson Wilson and that lead to being offered a groomer/kennel position for a private groomer.  After a while I moved down to Port Charlotte where I was offered a kennel position at Suncoast Humane Society in Englewood.  From there I went to work at an Animal Hospital in Jacksonville, FL as a Groomer/Kennel Person/Vet Assistant/Vet Tech at a place called Parkway Animal Hospital. 

After years and years of various animal jobs I arrive here...

There has been things I've loved and hated about places I've worked so the Dog Bed & Breakfast has become a collection of what I love best about ALL the places I've worked.

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Affiliations & Credentials