When most people think of dog boarding, they picture rows of kennels, concrete floors, and quick potty breaks before heading back inside. For many pet parents, that image comes with a familiar worry: Will my dog actually be happy there?
Melissa Keely, owner of Paws on the Pasture in Monroe, designed her business to feel like the backyard every dog dreams of.
“We’re truly more than a kennel,” owner Melissa Keely explains. “The pasture is truly what sets us apart. We use it every single day.”
While many facilities rely on turf or concrete, Melissa wanted something more natural. She wanted to give the dogs grass under their feet, fresh air, and space to move freely.
Enrichment That Is Tailored to Every Dog
Paws on the Pasture boasts 4 acres where dogs can run, play, and socialize with other dogs, in ways that suit them best. Enrichment looks different for every dog, so Melissa ensures care is tailored to each dog.
“One dog might be obsessed with water, another with tennis balls, and another just wants to be outside,” she says. “Our job is to figure out what makes each dog tick.”
Paws on the Pasture includes splash pads and water tables in the summer, ball launchers in the top yard, and small, supervised playgroups based on size, temperament, and play style. Not every dog wants what Melissa jokingly calls “WrestleMania,” but for those who do, there is a safe and structured place for it.
And for dogs who do not enjoy group play, there is still plenty of room to roam, sniff, and relax.
From a Dream to a Business Built on Care
Paws on the Pasture has been more than a decade in the making. With a background in hospitality and a lifelong passion for dogs, Melissa knew she wanted to create something different. Something she herself had struggled to find when boarding her own dogs.
“I never felt like traditional boarding was quite right,” she shares. “We wanted the opposite of that. We wanted to really know these dogs and tailor our care to them.”
At Paws on the Pasture. dogs are known by name, personality, and preference.
More Services, Same Thoughtful Approach
In addition to daycare and overnight boarding, Paws on the Pasture also offers board-and-train programs, basic obedience training, as well as the Paw Spa. Dogs can enjoy baths and nail trims.
Getting Started Is Simple and Personal
New clients begin by creating a profile online and scheduling a visit that allows dogs and their humans to tour the property, meet the staff, and experience the pasture firsthand.
“We want you to see every piece of Paws on the Pasture,” Melissa says. “We want you to feel completely comfortable leaving your dog with us.”
Learn more about Paws on the Pasture on their website: https://pawsonthepasture.com/. Or give them a call at 704-709-7087.
Last modified: December 23, 2025
