ELK RAPIDS -- Bokhara Pet Resort & Spa owners Rick and Shen Smith have provided premium pet care for more than three decades, but they are most proud of their efforts to employ area teens.
"Under our TLC program, hundreds of teens have had their first jobs with us," said Shen, a Kingsley native who grew up with a love for dogs. "We've had as many as six in a family work for us. We're most proud of that."
Shen's passion for pooches led her to raise, show and judge Borzoi, or Russian wolfhounds, a tall breed with a narrow head, long legs and a silky coat. "When we moved here, we had 22 of them and people began asking if we could watch their dogs when they left town," recalled Shen. "Eventually, we opened the business."
The unusual Bokhara name is from a Russian city, which the Smiths used in naming their wolfhounds. They've trimmed their Borzoi population to five now.
The pet resort is located on a stately, wooded 14-acre site, with about 300 feet of frontage along the western shore of Elk Lake. It's a spacious location where pets can enjoy luxury boarding, swimming, grooming and several fun programs. In addition to dogs, the resort hosts cats, birds, even a chameleon.
The Smiths ran a grooming location in downtown Traverse City, but closed that site about four years ago.
In addition to the pet resort, the Smiths have two other pet-related businesses. Rick developed Kennel Soft, special software to help kennel owners run all aspects of their business, while Shen operates Shen Webs, which designs Web sites for about 450 kennel owners, veterinary clinics, grooming salons and other small businesses.
A licensed AKC judge, Shen will go to Sweden next summer to judge wolfhounds in two world-class competitions.
Like many area businesses, Bokhara Pet Resort & Spa has some seasonal fluctuations. "In the summer, our local customers stay home, so it's probably 60-40 non-local," said Rick, a former funeral director. "But this time of year, it's probably 80-20 the other way."
"We're committed to making your pet feel right at home when you're away," added Shen. "We pride ourselves on our wonderful services, as well as excellent pet care."
About Bokhara Pet Resort & Spa
Address: 11535 South Elk Lake Road, about a mile south of Elk Rapids
Phone: (231) 264-5855
Online: www.bokhara.com
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Employees: 11
Years in business: 34
In Business is a weekly feature on northern Michigan businesses. Next week: CC Fine Jewelers.
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