June 5, 2010
Liz Varela originally entered the pet industry as an aviculturist, one who raises birds. She did this for twenty years before realizing that her area lacked a place to buy quality pet supplies and opening her own shop.
“We saw the need for good food, so we brought it in!” Varela remembers. Now Liz’s Pet Shop offers a wide variety of excellent pet products for dogs, cats and, of course, birds. The store focuses mainly on healthy foods such as raw meat diets, and even offers a variety of …

Shelley Becker became interested in dogs while working with Indiana St. Bernard Rescue. When her own dog became ill, she read an article on the ingredients in dog food. “That article changed my life”, she says. Becker began making natural homemade treats for dogs, selling them at craft shows, and quickly discovered herself acting as a consultant for people looking for information on keeping their own pets healthy. It was then that she realized there was a customer base and decided to open her own pet boutique.
 Hungry Hound Boutique and …

March 2, 2010: The Bark Market of Delavan, WI has been locally owned and operated since 1987. The shop specializes in quality supplies and services for dogs and cats. Owner Karen Conell wants to empower, enlighten and educate her customers and clients to help them make informed decisions about how to care for their pets.
“Education is critical,” Conell said. “For over 15 years we’ve been educating people every day about healthy choices. We don’t let products sit on the shelf with the idea they will sell themselves. Instead we assist …

Feb. 2010: Meet Kathy Reiland, owner of Gypsy Glen K-9 Kastle, the woman who inspired the product with her request to manage nervous dogs in her kennel.
Kathy Reiland has worked with dogs for almost 50 years. She has trained dogs since she was sixteen years old, and worked for a dog research kennel while in college. She later operated a local dog club, worked with a narcotics dog while serving as a special deputy for McHenry County Sheriff’s Department, and became Director of Training for a search dog team that …