DogMode: dog daycare with a personal touch.

• Author: Sasich, Chris
• Position: READERS' CHOICE

Salt Lake City -- There are a lot of challenges that come with being a dog owner in a city. That's the lesson that Susan Butler learned after she adopted her first dog. It was hard balancing long work hours with the needs of her pet, and after a bad experience boarding her dog, she and her husband decided to create what they needed. DOGMODE is a dog boarding and daycare facility that has been in operation since 1999.

"When we came up with the idea, there wasn't one here. It took about a year. We wrote a business plan. The only people on the planet that supported us was my family. They came down every weekend and helped us build," said Susan, co-owner of DogMode. "Everyone thought we were nuts."

That business plan was based on similar facilities in big cities like San Francisco and Washington D.C., and after acquiring a loan the business was off and running. Susan's sister in-law Pam Butler and brother-in law Brent Butler have since taken over day-to-day operations, as well as being co-owners.

"Our heart is in it so much and we love dogs so much that we'll do whatever the dog needs to make sure that dog is healthy, happy and safe," said Pam Butler. That commitment is visible with the makeup of their facility.

The family-owned business now boasts two big play areas for large dogs, a small dog area designed to look more like the inside of a home, complete with couches and Netflix, and a senior dog area that has floor with extra grip and lower furniture that is easily accessible for aging dogs. All of these areas have access to separate outdoor play areas and are monitored constantly by a well-trained staff and cameras.

"We don't see our customers as a dollar sign, we see them...