​Bringing a dog into the family can be a rewarding, enjoyable experience for all ages. For seniors in particular, dogs provide companionship, affection, a feeling of responsibility, and even a good reason to get out and exercise. There is significant research that shows that seniors who have canine companions live longer, healthier and happier lives.

Patriots Landing retirement community in Dupont, Washington recognized the importance of providing a safe area for their residents to bring their dogs. At AJB Services, being dog lovers ourselves, we worked with the community to design a beautiful fenced area for residents to bring their dogs to romp and play, while providing ample space for… other business.

We built a fully-fenced dog run and enclosed it with a gated, chain link fence with an attractive black, powder-coated finish. The play area is adjacent to the sidewalk that runs through the main road in the community, so it is easily accessible to residents and their furry friends.

We installed sod over about two-thirds of the play area, giving is plenty of room for dogs to be let off their leash to run free and socialize. The other third, near the gated entrance, is designed to be an easily-maintained pet potty. By laying down decomposed granite (DG), we created an area that is easy to keep clean and yet is soft on the paws. Solid waste is easy to collect from the hard surface, and because DG is permeable, it’s easy for the grounds crew to rinse and maintain. Down the road, it will be easy to refresh the area with additional DG.

To help keep the area clean, we installed a waste recepticle and bag dispenser. There’s even a pooper scooper to encourage resdients to clean up after their dogs.

By providing a fenced dog exercise area, the retirement community offers a place for their residents to bring their dogs for a safe, off-leash experience.

From shared off-leash areas like this project to home dog kennels and kennel fences, AJB Services builds a variety of pet-friendly environments for both commercial and residential customers. If you or your community needs a safe outdoor pet space, contact us and we’ll be happy to create an area for you.