Photo courtesy of Kary DeVlieger Dog Wash owner Kary DeVlieger shows off the inside of the unit which is located next

In 2017, I interviewed the owners of a unique new business in Marshall located on Mustang Way near the Southwest Minnesota State University campus.

Justin and Wendy McKinney opened the Dog House, which offers a “home away from home” for dogs while their owners go on vacation.

At the time, the McKinneys stated the kennels were “something we know Marshall needs.” Features included a play area outside complete with turf specifically designed for dogs and small wading pool.

“We don’t want you to feel you are breaking your heart when you are dropping your dog off and you want to go on a vacation,” Justin McKinney told me.

Not presently a dog owner, the years went by without giving another thought to the story I wrote on that new business … until last week.

I received an email from Kary DeVlieger.

“I just opened a new business called The Dog Wash! It is a self service pet wash station located at 204 Mustang Trail. I also own The Dog House here in Marshall, making this my second business at just 24 years old! If you are in need of any stories I would love to be included in the paper, it would be very beneficial and help spread the word of a new small business.”

Because the amount of time that elapsed I didn’t remember the names of the Dog House owners. So I was a little surprised when I met DeVlieger. She explained the McKinneys sold the business to her a year out of high school. She was 19 years old and was working as an employee at the Dog House.

“The previous owners had moved to the cities and found operating a business afar was not super ideal. It was kind of a joke of me buying it and it just kind of became a reality,” DeVlieger told me. “I worked here all through high school. Loved it. The people, the dogs, you know, everything about it. When that opportunity became available, it just felt like the right fit.”

Since she took over, DeVlieger said more kennels have been added, the building painted and the grooming area was remodeled.

“A lot of people bring their own beds, blankets, toys,” she said. “So all that stuff gets into the dog’s kennel to make them a little more comfortable. And then we try to keep up with the same routine that they have at home. Same feeding schedule; same if they get a treat at lunchtime. We try to keep it as close to what they get at home as possible. But obviously it’s a home away from home.”

I asked what was the reaction from her parents, Jon and Amy, of taking over a business at such a young age.

“I think I scared them a little bit, but they’ve been super supportive. I couldn’t done it without them, obviously. Me and all my crazy adventures,” she said.

As long as DeVlieger brought up “crazy adventures” I thought it was a good time to ask her about the Dog Wash.

“I’ve seen it (a self service dog wash) online. Someone else had opened one. I was like, you know, I think It’d be really beneficial for Marshall to have one. I already own the land. I’d think it would be a great addition for here. I just thought it would be a good idea. Looked at it and ran some numbers and all that good stuff. It was just a nice way to expand, open a second business that’s just not too much more work,” she said.

DeVlieger contacted a company that manufactures the self serve dog washes. Once built, the structure — with all the buttons and plumbing — was shipped to DeVlieger.

“(It) pretty much functioned right away,” she said.

The unit was delivered on May 14 and was open for business on June 4. The structure is eight feet by 13 feet. Inside there is the electronic selection panel for selections and payment options just like at car washes. There is a spray hose and a tub. For very large dogs, there is a pad on the floor and the water is drained out.

And the reaction from users?

“As soon as I announced it, we had so many people,” DrVlieger said. “We are getting seven to 10 people a day, which is like way more than I was expecting. I was anticipating more like three a day.”

I asked what’s next?

She answered no plans as of yet, but won’t rule anything out for the future.

“I’m only 24, so we got plenty of years left,” she said. “I love being self-employed. Can’t beat it. I don’t think I could ever go back. I mean it’s been five years.”

You might say she enjoys being in the dog house.