Camp Happy dog

Built in the early 1900's the farm has been bought and sold only a couple of times before Kay and Malcolm Mizell decided this beautiful setting was where they wanted to continue their dream! In October of 2013, the Mizell's moved to this beautiful farm and made it their own! After getting settled in they started to explore the possibility of having their business right alongside their home! In 2014 they started boarding dogs professionally on the farm , and  in 2016 Camp Happy Dog had its official start! And what a perfect place for such a compassionate and loving industry to thrive!

Their love story began in April 1995 when some friends set them up on a blind date. Just a few months passed and they were married. Kay shared her dream with her new husband , to return to the mountains where she was originally from. Malcolm was supportive of the idea and they spent the coming years figuring out how to make that happen, all the while they cared for their own dogs in their home. For a while they called Moss Point, Mississippi home. After Kay retired from teaching they found a second home in Coker Creek, Tennessee and while Malcolm traveled for work Kay enjoyed the peace and beauty of the mountains once again! When they finally settled down in Murphy, North Carolina, Kay credits that in addition to the business and beautiful mountains, her church is a huge reason why she chooses to serve this community and call this place home!

As a schoolteacher for many years, Kay learned many valuable lessons in working with other people’s loved ones. About ten years ago she began attending pet-related conferences and workshops to learn all she could about the care, training and supervision of dogs. That’s when she also began a professional trainer development program at Cold Nose College in Murphy, NC and she really fine-tuned her dream of opening the best doggie daycare and boarding facility in the mountains.

 “Auntie Kay” is a Pat Miller Level 1 dog trainer, having passed a rigorous training regimen at Cold Nose College. She is also a certified Dog*tec dog-walker and pet-sitter. She is trained in pet first aid, and as a certified Pet-Tech First Aid/Canine CPR caregiver, she can respond with expertise and experience to any situation involving the health and safety of your dog.

In addition to her professional development and credentials, Kay is also a trainer-volunteer working with detainees and their foster dogs with the “Rescued Program” at the Colwell Probation Detention Center in Blairsville, GA. She continues to seek out and attend educational workshops, seminars and conferences in all things “dog” with a singular focus on making Camp Happy Dog the safest, happiest and most loving “home-away-from-home” for your dog.