A Tail Of Success

Jeremiah McGowan, 11, takes a tenant for a walk and plays throughout the property at Whispering Winds Kennel in Woodstock. (Photo by Jason Chiou)

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When Hugh and Sherry McGowan took the first step to achieve their lifelong entrepreneur goals, they could only hope to benefit their family, the community and local pets.

Hugh was a businessman with dreams of being an entrepreneur. He was an active member in the corporate world, working as a life coach to young adults with career potential. But when the McGowan family opened Whispering Winds Kennel nine years ago, Hugh and Sherry finally got the chance to serve as life coaches to their own children.

Sherry says when they decided to open the kennel on their 10-acre plot of land, one of the reasons was “to teach [the boys] life skills and business skills, so my husband came home to equip them.”

The older sons are learning how to run and maintain a successful business, while the younger sons build good work ethic by washing, walking and playing with the animals. The five McGowan sons are home-schooled and, Sherry says, the family believes in an education through life and hands-on experience.

And that form of education must be working well, because, Sherry says, they get told all the time how excellent the boys are with eye contact, competency and talking to people.

“They’ve developed good skills,” she says.

Whispering Winds Kennel serves as more than a classroom for the McGowan boys. It’s also a vacation resort for dogs, cats and small animals. When the family moved to the space, the kennel was just another building on their land. But when they decided to open the business, the building was the perfect place for the pet resort.

After four months of renovations, the family opened their 26-run, six-kittie-condo kennel. Each run has an indoor and outdoor area with a personal door for your dog, and each kittie condo has a window perch overlooking the north side of the property.

In extreme weather, the animals can stay inside in their heated or air-conditioned facility. And they can even expect a member of the McGowan family to bring them a Kuranda custom bed at night.

If that isn’t enough for your pampered pet, Whispering Winds has more services that can be picked from the same way you would at a spa.

Those services include:

Walk in the Country
Whispering Winds’ 10 rolling acres will be an adventure in sights, sounds and smells as your dog investigates the shore of the pond, the wooded edges of the property and barks a hello to the neighboring equestrian ranch.

Personal Playtime
The staff at Whispering Winds gives your pet individualized, invigorating play that might include a stretch in the country air, a jump in the wading pool, or a game of ball toss in a secure, 1,000-square-foot area. Or bring that special Frisbee and tell the staff what your pet likes best. Whispering Winds will tailor its Playtime Program to your request.

Yippee — It’s Yard Time
Your pet will enjoy a secure 1,000-square-foot area where he or she can romp or rest at his or her leisure. Yard Time also is a great service for families with more than one pet.

Petting/Lap Time
Some pets like to be left alone, but others are more social. If your pet loves attention on a regular basis, sign up for Petting Time. One of the Whispering Winds staff members will sit with your pet and provide a little indoor TLC or playtime.

Daily Brushing

Bye-Bye bath
Just let Whispering Winds know what time you’re coming, and they’ll make sure your pet goes home fresh and clean with its specialized, natural pet shampoo, conditioner and cologne.

And if a spa day still isn’t enough for your pet, vacation packages also are available:

Puppy Package
Two social times with staff a day, ending with a
gourmet doggie treat!

Teen Package
One extra invigorating Playtime with staff a day

One Yippee Yard Time
Doggie ice cream snack after each time

Sportsman Package
One brisk Walk in the Country

One rigorous Playtime in the yard
Health snack after each

Family Package (minimum two dogs from the same family)

Two Yippee Yard Times together each day, ending with a doggie treat

If you are unable to drop your pet off at the resort, they have a service that will pick up your lucky pet from home for his or her weekend retreat during your weekend getaway.
Source: www.whisperingwindskennel.com

All about Whispering Winds Kennel
Where: 4506 S. Route 47 in Woodstock
For more information: call 815-337-4920, e-mail Info@WhisperingWindsKennel.com, or go to www.whisperingwindskennel.com