About Us
South Paw Acres is located inside one and one-half acres of securely fenced grass yard, complete with a pond to swim in, outdoor toys to exercise with, and mature shade trees to relax under. Two separate buildings are climate controlled year-round for comfortable indoor living.
Dogs have a choice of soft beds to stretch out on, or are welcome to lie on the cool rubber flooring. Lots of toys and hands-on attention keep your baby happy and pampered all day long. Only positive reinforcement techniques are utilized with the dogs. Soothing music is always on to promote a calming atmosphere.
A maximum of ten dogs at any one time ensures your fur-baby gets quality attention and lavish affection throughout his stay. Typical staff-to-dog ratios are 10:1 at the most. The dogs are housed with compatible temperament and activity levels in mind.
Benefits for Dogs
Dogs are social animals by nature.
They thrive with other dogs in their lives. Through their interactions, dogs at South Paw Acres learn how to deal with other dogs, how to get along peaceably, and learn appropriate play skills, both with people and canines.
Daily exercise helps improve overweight dogs’ metabolism, and gives many high-energy dogs a way to release their pent up energy. Many dogs who only see their owners everyday can learn to trust other people they meet through interactive daycare. Dogs that have never had a chance to try swimming can explore the pond and learn to swim by watching other dogs play in the water.
Benefits for Owners
The old saying, “a tired dog equals a happy owner” is very true after time spent at South Paw Acres. SPA dogs are simply too tired to chew furniture, jump on the baby, bark at the neighbors, chase the cat, or otherwise get into mischief. And time spent at SPA can benefit younger dogs still needing to learn the finer points of housebreaking – without ruining your carpet!
SPA Team
Faye Nowell
Owner
Faye is a Columbia native, and has always loved dogs. Over the years she has served as guardian to a variety of dogs, fostered many others, and has helped local shelters find forever homes for canines in need. She volunteered with the Central Missouri Humane Society for many years, and served on their Board of Directors. Currently she is active with No Kill Columbia – The Spay Neuter Project, which offers low cost high, quality spay and neuter services in the mid-Missouri area.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation & Park Administration from the University of Missouri, Faye practiced for over 13 years as a Recreational Therapist at local hospitals and social service agencies. In the late 90’s, she answered an ad for a woman wanting a dog sitter on the days she worked long hours. The job was fun for both Faye and the dog. After doing some research on doggie day care facilities around the country, Faye realized Columbia might be big enough for a doggy day care business to thrive. Once she found the perfect piece of land, she opened South Paw Acres in August of 2001. She has been pampering lucky dogs ever since.
Robin Diebold
Manager
My journey to dog care was a round-about one. After graduating from Rolla with an engineering degree, I moved on to earn my master's in education. After which, I taught English at high schools in Japan for a few years. Not being able to have a dog in my tiny apartment was enough for me to seek out a dog shelter to volunteer my time. I loved it so much that I went into dog care and training upon returning to the United States.
Not only am I staff member here at South Paw Acres, but I am also a certified professional dog trainer and the Headmaster of Dogwarts - a school for dogs! If your dog needs training, we can help!
Lauren Twombly
Kennel Attendant
I am a senior at Mizzou studying Fisheries and Wildlife. I am super passionate about animals and food. I have two pets, a dog named Winnie and a Golden Tree-frog named Ginkgo. I also keep many house plants. In my free time I hike, read books, watch a lot of tv, and frolic in fields.
I have worked with dogs personally and professionally my whole life. I think dogs are super unique animals because of their style of communication. If you are around enough dogs, you can start to understand what they are trying to say. This makes working with them so much more interesting! I love each and every one of your dogs, and would be happy to dog-sit or help out with them whenever you need. Just reach out!
Rose Koch
Kennel Attendant
Animals, but in particular dogs, have always been a keen interest of mine. I remember sitting in school as a little kid flipping through canine encyclopedias and now, as an adult, exploring domesticated dog behavior, evolution, and cognition - they really are incredible creatures (and man’s best friend)! I have a history of working at doggy daycare facilities, and am very lucky to be able to take care of my very own pooch, Murphy, and miniature lop eared bunny, Miss Darla, at home.
I completed three years of engineering at Mizzou before taking a year off to explore my other passion under a mentor in Kansas City: Art. I have since returned to the University to complete an interdisciplinary degree in Math & Physics, Industrial Engineering, and Architecture - unless I get sidetracked again, that is… Finally, rest assured, I am almost definitely as obsessed with your dog as you are! <3
Olivia Durkee
Kennel Attendant
My love of animals started at a very young age, and I have decided to dedicate my life to taking care of many amazing animals that so many people consider family. I am a first-year veterinary student at the University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine. Although I am far from my home state of Maine, I am so excited to be in Missouri to work towards becoming a vet! School is very stressful, so I am very happy to be working at South Paw Acres as a reminder of why I am putting myself through it! My passions in the realm of veterinary medicine are torn between large animal food medicine and shelter medicine, but the dogs here at SPA certainly light a fire for my love of small animals!
Jordan Schneider
Kennel Attendant
Bio coming soon!
Kyndall Allen
Kennel Attendant
Bio coming soon!