Verified Company
DogServices – the Thalboro location showed me a level of kindness I will never forget. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer and going through treatment, I was worried about how I would manage everything since I live alone, including caring for my dog, Franklin. The team stepped in to help make sure he could still get to daycare by arranging pickups and drop-offs.
But what meant even more was their compassion. They checked in on me and even offered help with things that had nothing to do with daycare — simply because they cared. They even sent Franklin home with a complimentary bath and made sure he got plenty of love and snuggles while he was there.
Franklin absolutely loves going there, and I am deeply grateful for the support they showed during one of the hardest times in my life.
If you are looking for a place that truly loves animals and the people who love them, this is it. 🐾
Dogservices took such great care of our dog, Julep for 15 years. She went to daycare at least twice a month, boarded often and was always groomed on the day of departure. They always did a fantastic job. The staff is amazing and cares so much for the animals. Unfortunately we lost our girl at 16 years old in June. We are looking to get a new dog in the near future and I plan to look no further than DogServices to be our go to place again.
This is our absolute FAVORITE daycare. Our pup Loki has a dog sitter and a back up daycare but Pets At Play is his absolute favorite place.
Loki loves the groomer and the staff. He typically plays most of the time he's there so he comes home tired. The prices are great. They send daily pictures which is my favorite because I typically forward them to our family members.
They always have special events to keep the pups excited and I sign Loki up as much as possible.
Cannot say enough amazing things about Big Dog Services. I searched for months to find a place for my Milo. The entire team has been kind, communicative and patient with both my dog and me. Finding a place in Richmond that takes a Pitbull is not as easy as you’d think. But they didn’t blink when Milo had his first day. The entire staff is phenomenal. 10/0
Me and my pup LOVE DogServices! We’ve had great experiences at several of their locations but since he’s grown up we take the big boy to Big DogServices! The staff is so kind and helpful, they do a great job with grooming, and my dog always goes and leaves happy as a clam! Definitely check them out!
I trusted this daycare with my 6-month-old puppy, Ramen, and it turned into a nightmare. They put her in the wrong play group with a much larger, high-energy dog, and she came home with a fractured leg. Instead of being honest about what happened, they lied to me.
When they called me, they told me Ramen was “just being dramatic” because of her breed and that nothing was really wrong. The owner even massaged her leg, thinking that would help — when in reality, it was a fracture, and that likely made it worse.
They rushed her to the vet themselves, and because of what they told the vet, she was not properly examined. She was sent home without an x-ray of the injured leg, which led to a misdiagnosis. For two weeks, my puppy suffered with an untreated fractured growth plate and inadequate pain medication.
By the time I finally got her back in, the truth came out. She was re-x-rayed (and I was charged again), but the damage was already done. A year later, she is limping badly and now needs surgery that will cost between $5,000–$10,000 just to try to give her relief.
This entire ordeal started because this daycare was not honest or competent with my dog’s care. Please learn from my experience and do not trust them with your pet.
LET ME CLARIFY.
The wrong part of her body got an x-ray.
Reply from dogservicesrva.com
2025.09.24
The health and safety of every dog entrusted to us is our highest priority, and we understand how upsetting and difficult it is when a pet is hurt.
We’d like to clarify a few important details regarding the situation and our protocols.
First, we are in constant communication with owners when any veterinary care is needed. As part of our intake process, every client completes and signs an Emergency Authorization Form, which outlines the procedures they allow us to approve on their behalf only if they cannot be reached at the time of care. We do not, under any circumstance, make decisions beyond what the owner has consented to. Once a dog is in the veterinarian’s care, we fully explain the circumstances and leave medical decisions to the licensed professionals — or to the owner directly when they are available.
In your review, you mention that Ramen was not x-rayed during the initial vet visit, but also state that she was “re-x-rayed” during a follow-up. This is contradictory. If an initial x-ray was performed, it would have been at the discretion of the veterinarian based on their professional assessment and within the scope of your signed ER consent or based on your direct communication with the vet.
Additionally, the events you describe differ with the review you left for the vet.
We also want to assure you that at no point did our team attempt to downplay your dog’s injury. While we may have noted breed-related behaviors during our call, our concern for Ramen was immediate and sincere. That is why we brought the matter to your attention quickly and with full transparency. Our staff is trained to act promptly and responsibly in these situations, and that’s exactly what occurred.
Sincerely, DogServices Team
We’d like to clarify a few important details regarding the situation and our protocols.
First, we are in constant communication with owners when any veterinary care is needed. As part of our intake process, every client completes and signs an Emergency Authorization Form, which outlines the procedures they allow us to approve on their behalf only if they cannot be reached at the time of care. We do not, under any circumstance, make decisions beyond what the owner has consented to. Once a dog is in the veterinarian’s care, we fully explain the circumstances and leave medical decisions to the licensed professionals — or to the owner directly when they are available.
In your review, you mention that Ramen was not x-rayed during the initial vet visit, but also state that she was “re-x-rayed” during a follow-up. This is contradictory. If an initial x-ray was performed, it would have been at the discretion of the veterinarian based on their professional assessment and within the scope of your signed ER consent or based on your direct communication with the vet.
Additionally, the events you describe differ with the review you left for the vet.
We also want to assure you that at no point did our team attempt to downplay your dog’s injury. While we may have noted breed-related behaviors during our call, our concern for Ramen was immediate and sincere. That is why we brought the matter to your attention quickly and with full transparency. Our staff is trained to act promptly and responsibly in these situations, and that’s exactly what occurred.
Sincerely, DogServices Team
