Loving and coaching dogs is like elevating kids … or sea lions and dolphins – within the eyes of Lindsay Plank, proprietor and operator of K9 Corner in Simpsonville.
“People laugh when I say training kids and training dogs is not that different,” Plank says. “The dogs and my clients are family. I don’t want them to be numbers. We are a community.”
Plank and the employees at K9 Corner supply boarding, day care, grooming, obedience coaching, different lessons – and affection – at 3013 Grandview Drive.
“I wanted to be a classy mom-and-pop kind of place and to support people,” she says. “We can bring in a rescue dog. And we can work with that dog to increase its chances of finding a forever home.”
Creatures within the sea have been Plank’s old flame. Born and raised in Vermont, she earned a bachelor’s diploma in Mammal Psychology and Marine Biology from the University of New England in Maine.
“I’ve always liked dolphins and sea lions. The college had a rehab center. We took in seal pups and porpoises, helped them get better and released them.”
After graduating, Plank educated dolphins and sea lions at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, close to Destin, Florida. When an oil spill dealt a blow to tourism, she adopted Air Force veteran and now-husband John Plank to South Carolina.
Dante (a Weimaraner) and Blaze (a Rottweiler) joined them. Dante was Plank’s instructor.
“He was a hellion. He had separation anxiety. He tried jumping through a two-story window to get to me one time. He chewed through doors,” she says.
“Supporting Dante was how I realized that sea lion and dolphin training applied to dogs. I was able to encourage him to be less nervous when we were gone.”
Plank honed her abilities at Camp Bow Wow in Greenville.
She and her husband grew to become mother and father to 2 sons, Colton and Kayson. And when Dante and Blaze died, the household welcomed two extra four-leggeds, Steven and Akira.
“I foster-failed Steven. He was supposed to go into a rescue up North. I’m not allowed to rescue at home anymore. I’m only allowed to rescue at the K9 Corner. I bring them home, and they never leave,” Plank says.
“He was aggressive. We were able to calm him. He’s a great dog. He’s loyal. He’s so good with my kids.”
Plank opened K9 Corner in 2019, months earlier than COVID-19 took maintain within the Upstate. The business didn’t shut, although Plank needed to lay off employees.
“Our clientele was doctors, nurses, firefighters, police officers. They needed somewhere for their dogs to go. So, we stayed open,” she says.
Today, Plank has 12 workers. Rebecca Jones left Camp Bow Wow to turn into Plank’s right-hand girl. Anna Clawson grew to become assistant supervisor. Plank additionally has excessive reward for the groomers. “They’re fantastic,” she says.
“My staff has been a blessing. My staff is the reason everything at K9 Corner runs so smoothly. We’ve been able to serve so many dogs and so many people,” she says.
Even skittish dogs are often drawn into the routines at K9 Corner.
A brand new canine comes for a “meet-and-greet.” It is uncovered to 1 different canine, then one other. If all goes nicely, the dogs play collectively in small or massive teams.
Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays; 7 a.m. to midday and a couple of to 7 p.m. on weekends.
Plank says the timing permits the dogs to socialize. “All the dogs hang out together before bed,” she says.
K9 Corner affords video surveillance so homeowners can test on their dogs. The pups can play with treats, puzzles, water options that spurt or spray … even get a “cuddle package.”
“We cuddle with your dog. We read your dog a book, and we give them a warm blanket and a bedtime treat. We fight over who gets to read the bedtime stories,” Plank says.
As for coaching, dogs and their homeowners can take part in group lessons or one-on-one instruction. Dogs be taught “sit,” “stay” and different instructions, to not leap on folks, to walk calmly on a leash, and to disregard distractions.
Rescue dogs or shelter dogs might have specialised coaching.
“We all have quirks, and dogs are the same way. I want to give clients an opportunity to help their dogs be the best dogs that they can be,” Plank says.
“If you’re starting to see an issue, get assistance. The longer you wait, the worse it could be. You’ve got to teach the dog that you love it, that you will provide for it. You form the bond. Then, they need to know that you’re in charge.”
Plank implores folks to contemplate fostering animals.
“If you foster, you’re getting that dog out of the shelter. You’re giving it time to decompress. Maybe it’s a good fit for you, and maybe it’s not. But you are part of helping them live their best life,” she says.
“The Greenville Humane Society and Greenville Animal Care – they’re desperate for fosters. Sometimes it’s just a few days. A week. A month. It’s so beneficial. We can support people at K9 Corner while they’re fostering.”
Plank has nothing however reward for rescue organizations and animal shelters within the Upstate. She works with many and lends a hand on the Greenville Humane Society.
“We teach the dogs to be calm when people approach them. That’s an easy way to help dogs get adopted,” she says.
Greenville County Animal Care will settle for any breed. Shelters and rescue teams help one another when one will get overwhelmed with animals.
“There are so many dogs. Shelters do a great job, but they are drowning in animals. We have so many hoarding situations here.”
Dogs, purchasers, employees, shelters … That’s why Plank says K9 Corner places “love for the community” first.
“This is my dream. I’m glad to be able to guide people toward what’s best for their dogs. My staff and I are always 100% about the dog and the clients. The money part comes last. It always does.”
