A dog with special needs can board safely when the facility knows the dog's routine, medications and limits before drop-off, and when you can reach a person who will answer your questions. That means a tour, a clear written plan and a short trial if you can manage one. This guide covers dogs with allergies, chronic illness, diabetes and mobility problems, and what we do at Riverside Pet Club & Resort in Harrisburg, PA.
TL;DR
- Talk to the facility before you book. Describe the condition, the medications, the feeding schedule and any past emergencies.
- Bring medications in their original bottles with written directions for time and dose, plus your dog's usual food and treats.
- Give the facility your regular vet's contact information, your preferred emergency clinic and written emergency instructions.
- Tour the space. Check cleanliness, ventilation and how the staff handle dogs who need extra time.
- If your dog finds any kennel too stressful, a sitter in your home may be the better fit.
Table of Contents
- What "special needs" means for boarding
- Questions to ask before you book
- Boarding dogs with allergies
- Boarding dogs with chronic illness
- Boarding diabetic dogs
- Boarding disabled dogs and dogs with mobility limits
- Is boarding the right choice for your dog?
- How we approach special needs stays at Riverside
- Our perspective
- Plan your dog's stay with Riverside
- A simple timeline before your trip
- FAQ
- Sources
What "special needs" means for boarding
The phrase covers a wide range. A senior dog with stiff hips, a young dog with food allergies, a diabetic dog on insulin and a dog recovering from surgery all need different things. What they share is that the standard routine may not be enough for them.
The University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine notes that boarding can be stressful, and that the facility should be prepared to reduce that stress. For a dog with a medical condition, the same source suggests owners consider a facility inside a veterinary hospital or one with a veterinarian on staff.
That is a fair starting point. It also tells you what to ask any boarding business: who is on site, what they are trained to do, and who they call when something looks wrong.
Questions to ask before you book
The American Kennel Club advises owners to discuss issues up front, such as separation anxiety, resource guarding or illnesses that need close monitoring. Do not wait for the check-in desk. Call, then follow up in writing.
Use this list:
- Can you care for this specific condition? Name it. Ask what the staff have handled before and what they will not do.
- Who gives medication, and how is it recorded? You want a written log of each dose and time.
- How often is my dog checked, and by whom? Ask about overnight checks, too.
- What happens if my dog stops eating or seems off? The San Francisco SPCA says the facility should contact you to decide how to proceed. If it cannot reach you, the pet should see a vet within 24 hours.
- Which vet do you use in an emergency, and who pays? Settle this before the stay.
- Can my dog stay separate from group play? Many special needs dogs do better with calm, one-on-one time.
Boarding dogs with allergies
Dogs with environmental allergies, skin conditions or food sensitivities need two things from a kennel: clean air and strict control over what they eat and touch.
Check the air and the surfaces
The San Francisco SPCA recommends touring the facility and looking at cleanliness, ventilation and whether any required state license or certificate is displayed. Walk in and notice the smell. Look at how floors are cleaned and how dogs are separated.
At Riverside, our kennels are large and climate-controlled, and we use advanced air filtration. We built the space this way to support a healthier environment for every dog. If your dog is sensitive to dust or airborne irritants, ask to see the kennel areas in person.
Control food and treats
Bring enough of your dog's regular food, portioned for each meal, plus approved treats. Tell staff plainly that your dog should not be given any other treats. Staff and other guests often want to hand out snacks, so a clear note on the kennel card matters.
Plan grooming around skin
If your dog has sensitive skin, tell the groomer before any bath is added to a stay. Our boarding add-on bath, which includes nails and ears, is $47-$78. Our grooming page lists every service. Our guide to gentle dog grooming explains how to prepare a nervous or sensitive dog.
Boarding dogs with chronic illness
Heart disease, kidney disease and chronic stomach problems all call for a written plan. The American Veterinary Medical Association says owners should list medical conditions that could cause an emergency, such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes or chronic gastrointestinal disease.
What to put in your packet
The AVMA also recommends giving the facility your regular vet's contact details, your preferred emergency clinic and written emergency-care instructions. It suggests naming an emergency decision-maker who is authorized to act if you cannot be reached. This matters if you are traveling.
Here is a practical checklist:
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Medications in original bottles | Labels show the drug name and dose |
| Written directions for time and dose | Staff follow your vet's instructions, not guesses |
| Time of the last dose | Prevents missed or doubled doses |
| Usual food and treats | Avoids stomach upset and keeps diet consistent |
| Vet and emergency clinic numbers | Speeds up care if something happens |
| Vaccine records | Required for group care |
| A reachable contact and a backup | Someone must answer the phone |
UC Davis says to give medications in their original bottles with written directions for time and dose, and to tell staff when the last dose was given.
Vaccines come first
Most boarding kennels require the Bordetella vaccine within six months of the stay. UC Davis recommends giving it at least one week before the boarding date. If your dog has a chronic illness, ask your vet whether any vaccine needs special timing, and get the records to us early.
Boarding diabetic dogs
Diabetes is the condition owners worry about most, and with good reason. Insulin has to be given on time and at the right dose.
A guide for pet boarding professionals by Boatright (2022) says owners should give staff the dog's normal feeding schedule, insulin-handling instructions and activity level, along with its usual food and treats. It adds that staff should be trained to give insulin and should document every dose to prevent missed or duplicate doses. It also says staff should watch food and water intake, activity and energy.
Keep the diet exactly the same
The same guidance warns that changing the amount, frequency or type of food can make diabetic control worse and cause blood sugar to run too high or too low. So do not switch brands before a trip, and do not let anyone add treats.
Know the risk of low blood sugar
A retrospective study of insulin overdose in dogs and cats found that diabetic dogs may become hypoglycemic without warning signs, or those signs may go unrecognized. That is why a written log matters. Ask your vet what low blood sugar looks like in your dog and what staff should do first. Write it down and put it in the packet.
The Boatright guidance says to contact a veterinarian immediately after an overdose, and to keep Karo syrup on hand for suspected low blood sugar. Ask your vet to confirm what is right for your dog.
Ask your vet about the plan
The American Animal Hospital Association says diabetes cannot be monitored by spot blood-glucose or urine checks alone. Blood-glucose curves are essential to see how well insulin is working. It also says monitoring plans can be tailored to each pet and owner. If your dog's regulation has been shaky, see your vet before you travel, not after.
Boarding disabled dogs and dogs with mobility limits
Dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, amputations or nerve problems can board well when the setup is right. Reports on this topic are thinner than for medical conditions, so rely on your vet and on what you see during a tour.
What to look for
- Footing. Hard, smooth floors are hard on dogs with mobility problems. A veterinary practice advises non-slip rugs and runners where a dog spends time, with no raised edges that could trip it. Ask how the kennel handles this.
- Bedding. Ask whether you can bring your dog's own orthopedic bed.
- Steps and thresholds. A dog that cannot manage a step needs a ground-level path to the yard.
- Potty breaks. Ask how often dogs go out and whether staff will go slowly with a dog who needs it.
- Group play. A dog who falls easily may be safer in short, calm sessions than in a busy play group.
Share what your dog can and cannot do
Tell us how your dog gets up, how far it walks comfortably, whether it needs help with stairs and whether it wears a brace or a cart. Include any lifting instructions from your vet. Our 10 to 15 minute Riverview walk is $10 and can give a dog a gentle outing without a full play session.
Is boarding the right choice for your dog?
Sometimes it is not, and a good facility will say so. The RSPCA in Australia says that if an animal is likely to find a boarding facility stressful, a trusted sitter who stays at the animal's home may be a better option.
Consider a home sitter or a facility at a vet hospital if your dog:
- needs treatment several times a day that only a vet technician should give,
- is recovering from surgery and needs strict rest,
- has seizures that are not well controlled, or
- becomes extremely distressed away from home.
If you are not sure, ask your vet. They know your dog's condition and can tell you which setting is realistic.
How we approach special needs stays at Riverside
We are a boarding, daycare and grooming business in Central Pennsylvania, not a veterinary clinic. We do not claim to be the right place for every condition. What we can offer is a clean, calm space and a team that takes time with each dog.
- Large, climate-controlled kennels with advanced air filtration, designed to support a healthy environment.
- A 24-hour security system for peace of mind.
- Personalized care. We want to know your dog's routine before the stay starts.
- Add-ons that fit. A bath with nails and ears, or a short Riverview walk, can be added to a stay.
Before you book, call us and describe your dog's needs. We will tell you honestly whether we can meet them. Our boarding page has the current options.
Try daycare first
A one-time evaluation is $20. It lets us meet your dog and see how it does in our space before an overnight stay. Daycare is $32 per day for enrichment play groups, and a 1-day stay is $22 per day. See our daycare page for details. If your dog is reactive or nervous in groups, read our guide on reactive dog daycare.
Our perspective
We hear from owners who feel guilty about leaving a dog with a health issue. We understand. The best thing you can do is prepare, and we will help you do it.
We believe a boarding stay works best when the owner and the team share one clear plan. That starts with a tour and a conversation. We want to hear about the medications, the food, the stairs your dog avoids and the things that upset it.
Our large, climate-controlled kennels and advanced air filtration were built to give dogs a healthier place to stay than a standard kennel. Add 24-hour security and a team that pays attention, and you have a setting where many dogs with special needs can relax. We will also tell you plainly if your dog needs something we are not set up to give.
Alexis
Plan your dog's stay with Riverside
If your dog has special needs and you live in the Harrisburg area or elsewhere in Central Pennsylvania, start with a conversation. Standard boarding at our resort is $45-$50, and daycare added to a boarding stay is $22 per day. Prices are those published on our site, so check the page for the latest.
Book a one-time evaluation on our daycare page, then plan a stay on our boarding page. Planning a longer trip? Our guide to extended stay dog boarding can help.
A simple timeline before your trip
Four weeks out: Call to discuss your dog's needs and book an evaluation. Ask your vet about any health checks.
Two weeks out: Confirm vaccines, including Bordetella, and send records. Refill medications, with extra for delays.
One week out: Write the instruction sheet. Include feeding amounts, medication times, warning signs, your vet's number and your emergency decision-maker.
The day before: Pack the original medication bottles, food in labeled portions, treats and a familiar blanket if allowed. Tell staff when the last dose was given.
While you are away: Keep your phone on. Answer calls from the facility quickly.
FAQ
Can I board a dog that needs daily medication?
Often yes, but confirm it with the facility first. Bring medications in their original bottles with written directions for time and dose, and tell staff when the last dose was given. Ask how doses are recorded.
Is boarding safe for a diabetic dog?
It can be, if the staff are trained and keep a dose log. Give them the normal feeding schedule, insulin instructions, activity level and your dog's usual food. Ask your vet to write down what to do if blood sugar drops.
What should I bring for a dog with allergies?
Bring your dog's regular food in portions, approved treats only, and any medication your vet prescribed. Tell staff what triggers a reaction. Tour the facility to check cleanliness and ventilation.
Can a senior or disabled dog stay with you?
Tell us about your dog's mobility, what help it needs and any instructions from your vet. We will talk through whether our setup suits your dog. We would rather tell you honestly than promise too much.
Should I try daycare before boarding?
Yes, if you can. A one-time evaluation costs $20 and lets us meet your dog in our space. It also shows you how your dog handles the staff and the environment.
Sources
- Choosing a boarding facility for your dog, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
- What to Know When Boarding Your Dog and Finding a Kennel, American Kennel Club
- Selecting a Boarding Facility, San Francisco SPCA
- Who's in charge of your animal's care while you're away, AVMA
- Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs and Cats, UC Davis
- Management of the Diabetic Boarding Pet
- Diabetes Client Education: Striving for Success, AAHA
- Insulin overdose in dogs and cats: 28 cases, JAVMA
- Creating a comfortable home for your mobility compromised dog
- How can I find a good boarding facility for my companion animal, RSPCA Australia