The Dog Care-Providers:

Patrick and Kathryn Heim are the sole owners and operators of Rover’s Ranch. Patrick is the primary dog care provider. Rover’s Ranch is situated at the Heim’s home on five acres south east of Winthrop, WA. Patrick and Kathryn moved from Seattle to the Methow Valley in June 2007. They were drawn by the opportunity to be a part of a small community, the beauty of the valley, and the many places to hike or snowshoe with their dogs.

Before moving to Winthrop, Patrick was sole owner and pet care provider of Strut Your Mutt, LLC, a busy dog-walking/pet-sitting business in Seattle, which featured off-leash group dog outings, single dog on-leash walks, in-home petsitting, and boarding of dogs at his home. Patrick started Strut Your Mutt on a full-time basis in November 2003, after working with people for 19 years as a clinical social worker. References from Strut Your Mutt clients are available upon request.

Patrick has always shared his life with animals of all kinds. In the last seven years, Patrick rescued a Border Collie, whom he named Kip, and a year later, an Australian Shepherd, whom he named Kiya. Together, Kip and Kiya developed a friendship at an off-leash park in Seattle with a little Cardigan Corgi named Montag. Not only did Patrick come to love this little dog, but he also fell in love with Montag’s owner, Kathryn, and married her.

Kathryn, a litigation paralegal by vocation, shares Patrick’s passion for animals. She has had dogs, cats and birds in her life since she was four years old. She also spent several years, as an adult, volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center to help injured and orphaned wild birds and mammals, and was chosen by the center to be featured in a short television segment on a Channel 7 program about volunteers.

The Facility:

As Patrick and Kathryn settled into their new home in the Methow Valley, they decided they would transform what was originally intended to be a garage in the daylight basement to a centrally heated and air conditioned 10-dog boarding facility, complete with a doggie shower.

Patrick and Kathryn have worked to make Rover’s Ranch to feel comfortable and homey. Patrick spends his time with his charges, whether they are inside or out. Dogs are provided blankets, rubber mats, safe toys and stainless steel food and water bowls. You may also bring your dog’s own bedding.

The indoor facility consists of eight separate and secure kennels (3 feet wide by 6 feet deep by 4 feet high) with a secure common play area (measuring 13 feet wide by 17 feet deep). The dogs eat and sleep in their secure kennels. Dogs that Patrick deems compatible play companions are allowed into the common play area at the same time under Patrick’s supervision.

Five times daily, the dogs are taken out to the fenced and gated outdoor play area (measuring approximately 30 feet by 75 feet). Here they can relieve themselves, run, chase a ball, romp and play under Patrick’s supervision. Dogs will be leashed up at all times when they are going to or from the outdoor play area.