(Pets In Paradise, Inc. - Lutz, FL) Pets In Paradise

Open Door Hours
M - F: 7 - 12 & 3 - 7
Saturday 9 - 1
Closed Sunday
(except for pick-ups between 4-6)

5109 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road
Lutz, FL 33558
(2 miles west of Dale Mabry)
813-949-7334
Fax 813-792-7854

Rated A 5-Paw Resort & Hotel

About Us

Joyce Keeton started Pets In Paradise Resort & Hotel, Inc. in September 2000 as an in-home petsitting service. Her customers requested that she board their pets in her home which quickly became filled to capacity. She purchased the property on Lutz-Lake Fern Road in August 2001 to begin her dream of allowing dogs to have a vacation resort to enjoy themselves in while their families travel. Now dogs of all breeds, sizes, and shapes come to Pets In Paradise Resort & Hotel, Inc. for a day of play in doggie daycare or longer stays which include homey sleeping arrangements, tons of human interaction, and of course, lots of playtime with other visitors.

Joyce has been raised with animals all her life. She had dogs and cats growing up in addition to hauling every living creature home and asking mom "can I keep it?" Her first working experience with animals came when she took a job as a kennel technician at a humane society. After many years of seeing so many innocent animals destroyed just because they didn't have a home, she became a veterinarian technician. While this was interesting and she learned a lot, she knew that was not the side of animal care she wanted to be in forever. Joyce started working as the manager of a boarding kennel and mobile petting zoo. In addition, she started her own obedience training business providing one-on-one training. Finally, she knew that this side of animal care was where she wanted to focus her time and energy. After years of working corporate jobs in finance and telecommunications, Joyce saved up enough money to start Pets In Paradise Resort & Hotel, Inc. and still has visions of expanding the facility to make it even more fun for dogs to stay and play together.

Joyce volunteers with Bulldog rescue as well as takes in abandoned and unwanted dogs and finds loving, forever homes for them. Her personal household consists of 5 bulldogs, 1 elderly springer spaniel and 4 rescued pot-bellied pigs.

Currently, Joyce is studying to obtain her certification as a Canine Behavioral Counselor (CBC) from the American Institute for Animal Science (AIAS) and is a member of the Association of Companion Animal Behavior Counselors (ACABC). This added to her years of training experience allows her to better help customers solve their dogs behavior problems. Joyce believes it is imperative to start a puppy off on the right paw by educating owners on handling, socialization, obedience, and preventative measures to ensure owner and puppy live a long and happy life together. She also believes that most behavioral problems stem from miscommunications between dog and owner. Joyce's unique knowledge comes from studying how dogs really learn as opposed to how their people THINK they learn or should already know. She will help owners cut through the myths of training and show how to get a well-behaved, well-mannered, and happy dog! Joyce uses and teaches only humane and positive techniques for training. No force, EVER!