Amber Burckhalter
The Pet Resort Coach
At The Pet Resort Coach, I know how it feels when your building is full, your team is busy, and something still isn't working. Maybe it's turnover, incidents in group play, margins that never seem to grow, or the fact that everything still runs through you. I help pet resort owners find out exactly where their operation is breaking down and fix it for good.
Many of the owners I work with have already invested in the right tools: good software, staff training programs, courses and coaching. Yet they're still seeing the same problems. In most cases, the issue isn't a lack of resources. It's how those resources are being used inside the daily operation. I identify why the problems keep happening and what will solve them, and often the solution starts with getting more from the systems you already have.
My approach is hands-on. I don't just hand you a report or another course. We start with an operational diagnostic across your pets, people and profits, identify the fix together, then I execute it alongside your team as your fractional COO, so the changes actually stick.
I built, scaled and sold my own multi-location pet resort over 21 years, and I bring that operator experience plus my background as a trainer and behaviorist to every client. My goal is a resort that runs safely, profitably and well, even when you're not in the building.
SERVICES
The Pet Resort Coach The Pet Resort Coach provides operational diagnostics and fractional COO support for pet resort, daycare and boarding businesses. Every engagement is built on the CORE diagnostic across eight key areas of your operation. Services include, but are not limited to:
CORE Operational Diagnostic
APEX Implementation Support
Fractional COO Support
Facility Walk-Throughs (On-Site or Virtual)
Retention Diagnostics
Leadership Operations Support
Operations Optimization
Behavior Safety Systems & CALM Enrichment Programs
Build to Sell: Exit Readiness & Value Growth
Site Selection & Ground-Up Support
Workshops, Team Training & Speaking
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I’ve spent more than 20 years in this industry. I started K-9 Coach with very little capital and built it into the first enrichment and membership based pet resort in the nation, pioneering the membership model and enrichment programming that many resorts use today. I grew it into a multi-location business, earning numerous business awards before a multi-seven-figure exit. Along the way, I learned that most of the problems owners face, from turnover to incidents in group play to tight margins, aren’t caused by a lack of effort or care. They’re caused by systems that aren’t working together. Now I help owners get results faster so they can build resorts that are safer for dogs, better for their teams and more profitable for them.
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I bring a rare combination of experience. I’ve built, scaled and sold my own resort, I have a background as a dog trainer and behaviorist, I've worked with hundreds of pet resort owners nationally and I’ve run the pet vertical for a SaaS company. I’ve also served on several boards in the pet industry, and I’ve been featured as a business expert on national radio and television, including CNN and NPR.
Many owners come to me after they’ve already invested in good software, training programs and courses, and they’re still seeing the same problems. I don’t add more information to the pile. My CORE Operational Diagnostic evaluates key areas of your operation to pinpoint exactly why the problems keep happening. Then I work alongside your team to execute the fix, often by getting more out of the systems you already have.
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Getting started is simple. We begin with a discovery call to talk through what’s happening in your business and where you’re feeling stuck. From there, I will use my the CORE Operational Diagnostic, and we’ll review the results together and craft a plan to fix the gaps.
Happy clients, happy life.