Duke’s began with a boy, a dream, and a dog named Duke.

It started inside the walls of Shipman Animal Hospital, where our founders, Steve and

Katie Alcorn, worked tirelessly to provide the best care for animals. But it was their

young son, Brett, who planted the real seed. One afternoon, while listening to his dad on

a call brainstorming ways to make the clinic’s grooming services more well-known, Brett

chimed in:

“Dad, why don’t we name it after Duke — our crazy mini Bernedoodle — and make him

look like a cartoon?”

“We could call it Dukes Shaggy Pet Spa… because he’s so shaggy!”

Not long after, Brett added another idea:

“Why don’t we make a place where dogs can play, get clean, and feel like they’re on

vacation?”

That simple idea stuck.

With Brett’s imagination and Steve and Katie’s experience in business and the pet care

industry, Duke’s was born — named in honor of their lovable, shaggy pup. What started

as a small grooming corner inside a vet clinic quickly transformed into a full-service pet

resort where dogs are treated like royalty and cared for like family.

Today, Duke’s Shaggy Pet Resort is more than just a business — it’s a family-built

dream come to life. We’ve combined playful energy with professional care to create a pet

paradise that is every bit as joyful as the kid who dreamed it up.

And we’re just getting started.