Special tier
SPECIAL NEEDS
BOARDING
Senior, medical, anxious, or high-needs dogs. Medication administration (Prozac, Gabapentin, Trazodone, insulin, NSAIDs, thyroid), hand-fed schedule, vet on speed dial, extra one-on-one care. $250/day at Paddock Estate (Pickering).
Why standard kennels don't work for special-needs dogs
Big-box kennels run on volume. A senior dog who needs a quiet corner and a 6 AM insulin shot doesn't fit the operating model. Many facilities refuse medical dogs entirely or accept them at standard rate without medical accommodation. The Dogfather is single-trainer, max 4 dogs at a time, with daily med admin built into the workflow.
What's included at $250/day
- —Trainer administers all oral, injectable, topical, and drop medications
- —Hand-fed feeding schedule maintained — anxious dogs, senior dogs, dogs on appetite suppressants
- —Vet on speed dial — owner notified within 15 min of any concern
- —Premium orthopedic crate pads for senior + recovery dogs
- —Calm small-batch environment (max 4 dogs at a time)
- —Mobility-friendly routine — no stairs for seniors, shorter more frequent walks
- —Separate yard time — no surprise dog interactions
- —Daily photo + video + written med log
- —Pet medical authorization signed at intake
- —20 acres at Paddock Estate (Pickering)
Special-needs dog boarding FAQ
What is special-needs dog boarding?
Overnight care designed for dogs who can't be left at a standard kennel — senior dogs, dogs on chronic medication, dogs with anxiety, dogs recovering from surgery, or dogs that need a hand-fed feeding schedule. The Special Needs tier ($250/day) at The Dogfather includes medication administration, vet on speed dial, extra one-on-one care, and a calmer environment.
How much does special-needs dog boarding cost in Toronto / GTA?
$250/day at The Dogfather for the Special Needs tier. This is the only Toronto-area facility that boards senior, medical, and anxious dogs with daily med administration and a hand-fed schedule at this price point. Most facilities either refuse high-needs dogs or charge $150–$200 standard rate without medical accommodation.
What medications can you administer?
Daily oral (Prozac, Gabapentin, Trazodone, Apoquel, Carprofen, Galliprant, thyroid meds), insulin injections (1–2x/day), eye drops, ear drops, topical treatments. Pet medical authorization signed at intake. Vet phone on speed dial. Med schedule logged daily, copy emailed to owner.
My dog is on a hand-fed schedule — can you maintain that?
Yes. Hand-feeding is standard in the Special Needs tier. Common reasons: anxious dogs that bowl-guard, senior dogs with reduced appetite, dogs in recovery, dogs on Prozac whose appetite is suppressed. The trainer does the feeding personally; not delegated.
Do you board diabetic dogs?
Yes. Insulin administration twice daily, glucose monitoring if owner brings the meter, vet on call. Bring 1 extra week of insulin and any low-blood-sugar reversal supplies (corn syrup, etc.). Diabetic boarding is one of the most common Special Needs intakes.
Do you board senior dogs?
Yes — seniors are over half the Special Needs intake. Quieter sleeping area, premium orthopedic crate pad, mobility-friendly walks (no stairs), shorter walk intervals more often, extra one-on-one attention. Best fit for senior boarding in the GTA.
Do you board anxious dogs?
Yes. Calm small-batch environment, premium crate for safe rest periods, structured daily routine (anxious dogs settle faster on predictable schedule), separate yard time, no surprise dog meetings. Owners report dogs come home less anxious than they left.
What if my dog needs the vet during the stay?
Vet on speed dial. Owner is notified within 15 minutes of any concern; vet visit happens that day if needed. Owner pays vet bill direct; The Dogfather handles transport. No surcharge for vet transport.
Where is the boarding facility?
Paddock Estate in Pickering, Ontario — 20 acres, 30 minutes from downtown Toronto via the 401. Owner drop-off in Scarborough or Pickering. Clients drive in from Toronto, Markham, North York, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa.
Is my dog crated?
Premium crates are used for rest periods during the day and overnight. For special-needs dogs this is core to the structured stay — calm, predictable, safe separation from other on-site dogs. Senior dogs and recovery dogs especially benefit from crate rest cycles. Dogs are out of the crate for walks, hand-feeding, supervised yard time, and one-on-one attention throughout the day.
What's the minimum stay?
1 night minimum after a free 30-minute assessment. Most special-needs clients book 5–14 night stays around vacations or surgery recovery.
Ready to book?
Free 30-minute assessment in person. Bring the med list. Honest read on fit.
Book Free AssessmentSee also: standard boarding ($90/day) · reactive dog boarding ($200/day)