Meet the Owner and Her Family!

owner Hi, my name is Emily Miller and I started Dogs at Play in March of 2000. I have always been an animal lover and as a child tried to bring home everything from a variety of small mutts "who followed me home" to the Doberman and the Pit-bull I was given by two separate neighbors. Mom never gave in! In 1994 I returned home from college in London and tried to figure out what I wanted to do in life. I worked at Kinko's for two years where I became a shift supervisor and head of quality control. After two years at Kinko's I moved on to Xerox where I tested hardware, software, and eventually ended up gathering data and running reports for engineers. It was during this time (1994-1999) I volunteered for the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm. My volunteer work allowed me to get my hands on just about every breed and behavioral issue imaginable. When I first began volunteering I was living at home and somehow convinced my parents to let me take home a year old Rottweiler who came from a Rochester Police Department raid on a drug house. I named him Magnus and realized I needed help quickly. It was then I met my friend local dog trainer Bob Minchella. I was hooked on the behavioral aspect of dogs immediately. Under Bob's tutelage I garnered knowledge about training and behavior. In 1999 I had an opportunity to join a New York State program that helped people open their own businesses. Dogs at Play was officially born in January of 2000 and opened its doors in March that same year. Presently I am owned by 3 dogs Lucy, Terry, and Little Leets. I am a current member of Schutzhund USA, The American Working Malinois Association and Empire Working Dog Club.

My Dogs

owner Lucija De Las Aquas Mansas CGC (Canine Good Citizen), or Lucy the Dogo Argentino came to me in the summer of 2002. After a long time fascination with the breed I purchased her from Still Water Dogos in Florida one year after I lost my Rottweiler Eva. I had hopes of some competitive endeavor with Lucy but she had other plans. She wanted to be a running partner and a couch potato!





owner In December of 2003 I had the opportunity to procure a Belgian Malinois puppy from Joefarm Kennels in Belgium. Crazy Van Joefarm, also known as Terry T., came into my life and turned it upside down! My love for dog sports drove me to the Malinois. Originally I was training for the sport of PSA. I changed my focus to Schutzhund when Terry was roughly 1 year old. Schutzhund is a 3 phase sport comprised of tracking, obedience, and protection. Due to some bumps in the road Terry's competitive career has been delayed, but he should hit the field in '08.



owner In February of 2006 I rescued a little Boston Terrier whom I dubbed Scarlito "the thumb" Judge Alito (long story!) but I call her Little Leets. It took about 24 hours to realize why this cute little dog was in rescue. She was a handful. She is the perfect example of a dog that truly benefits from a good dog daycare program. She may be 16 lbs. but her energy level is through the roof. It is imperative that this little dog be exhausted a couple of times a week.





Meet the Staff

Heather Stubbs is the assistant manager at Dogs at Play. Heather came to Dogs at Play originally as a part time employee in 2002. In the summer of 2003 Heather came on as a full time employee. Heather grew up in a dog crazy household. She has shared her life with a variety of breeds including Bull Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Great Dane, German Shepard, Husky and a wide variety of pound puppies. With strong family connections to Great Dane rescue as well it was inevitable that Heather would end up working with dogs. Heathers life is presently run by Tom a rescue Cattle Dog mix and Gladys a Boston Terrier.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is there an Application?

Yes. You may download it here. We also offer an online brochure.

Do you take puppies?

We take puppies as young as 10 weeks as long as they have had their second round of shots.

What are your health requirements?

We require that all dogs must be up to date on their Rabies, Distemper/Parvo, and kennel cough vaccines. Additionally all dogs must be spayed or neutered after 7 months of age. We also suggest that you use a monthly flea preventative.

How do I enroll my dog?

Give us a call or e-mail us to set up an interview meeting.

Do you breed ban?

We do not breed ban, but please be advised this is not the environment for every dog.

What happens if an emergency occurs and I can't get my dog?

We understand emergencies happen and one of the staff is more than willing to take your pooch home for the night.

What are the crates in the front room for?

Sometimes a dog needs to be removed from the group. This can be for a wide variety of reasons. Puppies who still eat a lunch, over stimulated, over tired or for end of the day safety reasons. WE DO NOT follow a "crate and rotate" system. If your dog can't be with the group and out for the day our system is not right for your dog. We can recommend other daily care facilities that might work better if this is the case.

We have 8 years of success in keeping your dog safe, happy, healthy and exercised. Our knowledgeable staff, and exclusive Dogs at Play system are well known in the Rochester area. We keep small dogs and big dogs separated for the majority of the day. If your small dog is cool with his/her big pals, you are fine with it, and we feel it is safe we will mix them at the end of the day. If we have any concerns such as dogs that are under 15lbs. or "fragile" breeds like Italian Greyhounds, we will either crate your dog for safety or put them in the communal office.