Shady Mountain Pet Retreat

Shady Mountain Pet Retreat handles dog boarding in Amherst, Virginia, pairing overnight stays with daily training. Dogs are housed in 6' x 8' indoor suites, each with a dog door that opens to its own outdoor space.

Services and amenities

The listed features cover housing, activity, and the odds and ends of a stay:

• 6' x 8' indoor suites with dog doors to outdoor spaces
• Daily socialization and training sessions
• Indoor swimming pool and K9 aquatic therapy
• A pet boutique stocked with essential supplies
• Suites designed for comfort and security

What stands out

The indoor swimming pool is the amenity most likely to catch an owner's eye. The retreat also offers K9 aquatic therapy, a low-impact way for a dog to move during a stay, which can suit older dogs and strong swimmers alike.

Training runs alongside boarding rather than as a separate program. Socialization and training sessions are part of the daily routine, so a dog's week away has some structure instead of long stretches of downtime. The on-site boutique covers small supplies people forget to pack.

Hours, location, and booking

The retreat is open 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday. The address is 890 Burley Hollow Rd., Amherst, VA 24521. Reservations and questions go through the phone line at 540-446-6141 or by email, and the retreat keeps its own website and a Facebook page with more on its programs.

Owners weighing a first stay can call ahead to talk through their dog's routine, feeding schedule, and any medications before booking.