Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Wells.
Hi Jennifer, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I Jennifer (Brown) Wells CVPM, was born in Jackson, Michigan. My grandfather, Joe Brown, was president of Jackson Gear Company in Brooklyn until he passed away in 1976. My dad was Vice President until we moved to the family cottage in Lewiston, MI, in 1978. Graduated in 1990 from Johannesburg Lewiston High School. Married to Charles Wells, Army Veteran, and have 2 wonderful boys, now married young men, and I am now a grandma!
I received my Certified Veterinary Assistant degree in 1995 from Kirtland Community College after returning home from Germany, and Colorado were we were stationed in the Army. I opened my first business, a grooming salon, Lewiston Pet Grooming, from 1995-1998. We then moved to the Grand Blanc area, where I started working in Veterinary Hospitals as a Certified Veterinary Assistant, receptionist, groomer, kennel, and for the last 20 years, as a Veterinary Practice Manager. I received my CVPM in 2014 from the online program at St. Petersburg College, managing hospitals in Grand Blanc, Davison, and Bay City. Life-long pet lover. Our family has had Labradors, Chihuahuas, Cocker Spaniels, and Cockapoos. Several wonderful cats that we lost over the years, 2 of which were family for 20 years! If it has four legs, I love them all! My husband and co-owner still holds a full-time job in sales and management in the manufacturing industry, which he has been in for the last 30+ years since leaving the Army.
I decided in 2023-2024 that managing veterinary hospitals was not how I wanted to end my career. My values no longer align with the new protocols in the veterinary industry. I wanted to get back to what got me into veterinary medicine, taking care of animals. So my husband and I purchased Happy Pups Bed and Biscuit in St.Helen Mi and took over on June 25, 2024. My goal each day is that the animals in my care are loved and taken care of as if they were my own. My background helps when the guests have minor concerns, I can usually address them pretty quickly and get them back ontrack to just having fun while staying with us.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I lived and breathed veterinary medicine for 25 years, but COVID changed people, and managing veterinary hospitals became very difficult. The atmosphere also changed the last 10 years; I was used to “old school” vets. We would try to treat any pet in need that walked through our doors and work within a budget if needed. I was uncomfortable with that change. I just want to help the pet and client, but many times my hands were getting tied. The industry was changing, and I was not. Clients started to threaten my staff due to the outcome or because of the bill, and I was many times left to deal with dangerous situations with no backup. That is not why I was in veterinary medicine, and many times I had no interaction with a client or case until it became a problem, and many times my solutions to deescalate was not always appreciated by doctors. Different values, as stated before, I was too “old school”. I was trained that the customer was always right and the pet’s health always over profit. Values have changed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Happy Pups Bed and Biscuit?
Happy Pups Bed and Biscuit is a premier pet boarding, daycare, and grooming facility in St. Helen, MI. We provide a safe, comfortable, and loving environment for your furry friends while you’re away. Our experienced staff offers top-notch pet care, including daily playtime’s, and personalized attention. Whether your pet needs a relaxing stay or a refreshing grooming session, we’ve got you covered. Book your reservation today and give your beloved companion the pampering they deserve! We have single and double suites, each with its own outdoor run. Every day, the dogs get out for 4 play times in the play yards and an additional 2 potty breaks.
Our Promise to each guest: We will treat each guest as if they were our own fur baby. We will work with each pet based on their individual needs, anxiety, or fears in a Fear Free manner to make their stay as enjoyable as possible.
Pets are housed in a climate-controlled environment, with AC and heated floors for those chilly days and nights.
Fear-Free tools:
Probiotics for upset stomachs
GI Low Fat diet in wet and dry available if pets are not eating
Pheromones to promote pleasant smells that comfort pets.
Snuggle puppies or kitties available to cuddle with to reduce anxiety.
Clean with Rescue sanitizer with no harsh smells that irritate pets, yet kills parvo, giardia, and leukemia aids, plus many more pathogens.
Laser Therapy for aches, pains, or wounds
We are constantly learning and making improvements to the kennel to make pets stay a fun and happy environment.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have always went to industry specific conferences and networked with people in my industry. Vendors and Reps were always a good source.
If interested in the animal field best place to start is get experience working in a kennel first. Most of us all started in the kennel and worked our way up
Pricing:
- Single suite $35 per night
- Double suite $60 per night
- Daycare $30 per day- offer packages
- Grooming based on service
Contact Info:
- Website: https://happypupsbnb.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happypupsbnb/
