Photo by Michael Woodall Dos Gringos

From Fido-friendly restaurants to cat-sitting options to animal-welfare volunteer opportunities, your guide to Valley pet ownership begins here.

Dog- and Feline-Friendly Dining
Cave Creek Coffee Company
The aroma of locally-roasted coffees fills this cozy café at 6:30 a.m., just in time to grab a java on the rickety wood porch before heading out for a hike with your pooch. The brews are even named for two nearby, dog-friendly trails – Spur Cross and Black Mountain. Come back later for wine and martinis. Patio only. 6033 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, 480-488-0603, cavecreekcoffee.com

Dos Gringos
What’s better than day drinking with a designated driver? Guzzling with a muzzle in your lap. Sip hooch with your pooch on pet-friendly, Mex-style patios. Daily specials like the Sunday Funday Patio Party feature a DJ and fluorescent Tequila drinks that complement the day-glo decor. Four Valley locations, dosgringosaz.com

Duck and Decanter
Gourmet deli foods coupled with alfresco dining on pet-friendly patios are the hallmarks of this Phoenix icon. A dizzying collection of coffees, wines and teas make this a perfect spot for an afternoon refresher. May we suggest pairing your “Tea with Fifi” with a patio cheese tray? Water bowls and biscuits are provided for tail-wagging teetotalers. Two Phoenix locations: 1651 E. Camelback Rd., 602-274-5429; 3111 N. Central Ave., 602-234-3656, duckanddecanter.com

The Farm at South Mountain
A paws-down top pick of Lhasas who lunch, this tree-shaded property near South Mountain Park is an ideal post-hike spot. Pets and bikes are allowed on the grassy area, and also on the outdoor patio of the Farm’s Morning Glory Café and The Farm Kitchen, where fresh, organic, mostly locally-grown ingredients contribute to healthful, tasty meals. Seasonal hours; call ahead. 6106 S. 32nd St., Phoenix, 602-276-6360, thefarmatsouthmountain.com


Uncle Bear’s Grill & Bar
Its motto – “Come, Sit, Stay” – says it all. Each location features a huge, pet-centric patio. Raucous weekends are fueled by a hearty menu, full bar with a robust selection of local microbrews, sports blaring from big screens and sloppy water bowls underfoot. Uncle Bear’s also regularly hosts events to help animal rescue organizations. Bring a snapshot of your dog to post on the canine wall of fame. Four Valley locations, unclebearsbarandgrill.com


Creature Comfort Staycations
Arizona Biltmore
Every third Tuesday of the month, guests at the resort’s Adobe Restaurant may imbibe and indulge starting at 6 p.m. with a pup-tastic Yappy Hour packed with treats for canines and their people.  Follow up the festivities by going belly up for a session of Doga – doggie yoga. (As of press time, the Doga schedule was not finalized; call for details.) There’s no cover charge for these wag-worthy events, and all breeds and sizes of well-behaved dogs are welcome. 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, 602-468-9160, theadoberestaurant.com

FireSky Resort & Spa
Concerned about keeping your pooch entertained while you’re out and about in Scottsdale? No problem – FireSky offers complimentary goldfish to keep canines company. This resort has no size restrictions or extra fees for pets; however, if Fifi throws a fit and ruins the carpet, you’ll be shelling out for the damages. The resort also offers dog walking and dog sitting, and nearby Chaparral Park has plenty of walking trails for winding down before tucking your fuzz ball into one of the cozy pet beds provided for four-legged guests. 4925 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-945-7666, fireskyresort.com

Hotel Valley Ho
While some pet-friendly resorts place limits on the size of your furry friend, this mid-century classic embraces everything from petite Pugs to massive Mastiffs as long as you keep your furry friend on a short leash at all times. Although pets are not allowed in the dining/pool areas, there are nice, grassy exercise areas where Astro can stretch (and lift) a leg. Convenient canine comforts include pet sitting services, in-room treats and a special “dog in room” door hanger. Free poop bags, too! 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale, 480-248-2000, hotelvalleyho.com

W Scottsdale
Pets are VIPs at the W, and every part of their stay is catered to. At check-in, they’ll be greeted with a toy and treat. In the room, they can curl up in a custom W pet bed complete with turndown treat. Rooms can be furnished with food and water bowls and a litter box. The concierge can arrange dog-sitting and walking, veterinarian and grooming services, even birthday cake. The first Tuesday of every month, the hotel hosts doga (dog yoga) on the patio. (There’s a $25 daily surcharge for pets, plus a non-refundable $100 cleaning fee.) 7277 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, 480-970-2100, wscottsdalehotel.com
Pet Resorts

Bark Avenue Pet Resort
Locally owned and operated for more than 30 years, Bark Avenue is a one-stop solution for busy pet parents. The cushy boarding and daycare facility is staffed 24/7, and the adjacent full-service veterinary hospital, grooming shop and supply store help keep your pet chores on a short leash. 3109 E. McKellips Rd., Mesa, 480-832-3631, barkavepet.com

Raintree Pet Resort
This pet resort offers premier lodging, meal and playtime options. Liver-flavored ice cream, chicken broth “pupsicles” and Bowser Beer and pretzels are on the menu. Luxury kennels, pool parties and group or individual playtimes keep pets content so their human companions can enjoy guilt-free vacations. 8215 E. Raintree Dr., Scottsdale, 480-991-3371, raintreepetresort.com

Second Home Pet Resort
Pets with physical challenges, certain behavioral issues, and health problems requiring medication administration will be well tended to by Second Home Pet Resort’s caring staff, which is on duty 24/7. Animals receive individual attention, access to a Splash & Play Water Park, and outdoor potty breaks. 747 E. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix, 602-997-6600, secondhomepetresort.com

Critter Sitters & Walkers
Got Pets?
Working 12-hour days? Not enough time to devote to Fido? Get Got Pets?. As a bonded and insured professional, owner Kim Nikon offers peace of mind and a helping hand with your dogs, cats, horses, birds, fish or reptiles, whether you need pet sitting, house sitting or dog walking. 602-361-4642, gotpetsaz.com

Pampered Paws Petsitting
For pets that are traumatized by unfamiliar environments, hiring a pet sitter while you’re away is the best solution. Pampered Paws will visit, live in or stay overnight at your home to walk, feed and administer medications as needed. They’ll also customize services to include watering your plants, bringing in the mail and taking your pets to the groomer. Serves Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Fountain Hills, 480-661-9794, pamperedpaws-az.com


Teach New Tricks
Arizona Animal Welfare League Pets Gone Wild Training Center
One of the most common canine behavior problems is tugging on the leash, accompanied by lunging, barking and growling. This can be fixed, says 20-plus-year veteran trainer Dianne Decker, who teaches leash manners to help dogs walk the line. “Feisty Fido” is an eight-week program aimed at rehabilitating felony tuggers, while the “Power Paws Workshop” is a two-hour hands-on regimen aimed at milder offenders. Both classes use positive reinforcement, and fees benefit shelter programs. Registration required. 25 N. 40th Place, Phoenix, 602-273-6852, aawl.org/pet-training

Arizona Dog Sports
This 5,000-square-foot gym for dogs comes with all the bells and whistles. Performance dogs and family mutts alike can participate in private or group classes that focus on agility, scent work, puppy socialization and competitive obedience. After the workout, there’s on-site massage and nutritional counseling. 4848 E. Cactus Rd., Scottsdale, 602-237-6775, azdogsports.com

Arizona Pool Dogs
We humans often boast how we treat our pets like kids, yet we sometimes fail to provide them the same safety training we give our two-legged progeny. Contrary to myth, dogs are not born knowing how navigate a backyard pool and may drown as a result. This doesn’t have to be, says Lisa Maldonado of Arizona Pool Dogs. She trains dogs using gentle, positive reinforcement in your own pool to condition canines to have safe fun in the water. Valleywide, 602-881-1018, azpooldogs.com

Photo by Michael Woodall Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program

Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program
It’s no secret cuddling with a pet warms the soul. Turns out, it’s also good medicine. Progressive healthcare professionals now incorporate pet therapy for their human patients to reduce stress, speed healing or add a dose of fun to help the medicine go down. Pet Partners is the organization that trains and evaluates volunteer animal-human teams for visiting nursing homes, hospitals, schools and other facilities. Becoming a registered animal-handling therapy team requires time commitment and completion of rigorous courses required to pass the evaluation process. Think your dog or cat has what it takes? Connect with Pet Partners. deltasociety.org

Quality K9
Begleithundeprüfung with the Dr. Doolittle of Phoenix. That’s the German word for the temperament test dogs must pass before moving on to advanced Schutzhund (protection dog) competition. German-born Tino Reinke, owner of Valley-based Quality K9, is a premier trainer specializing in the rigorous discipline that combines the same tracking, obedience and protection skills used by police K9s. But, for a seemingly hardcore regimen, the training process is positive and fun for dogs. That’s because Reinke employs his intuitive Dr. Doolittle-like understanding of the canine mind in a stress-free training environment to bring even the most unruly dogs to fuss (heel). Valleywide, 480-525-5525, qualityk9.com

For more of PHOENIX magazine’s 'The Pet Guide', check back soon, find us at newsstands Valleywide or call 480-664-3960.  Subscribe today so you don’t miss another issue!