Melissa Rice opened the Best Paw Forward grooming business in Montrose a year ago, and added an “outdoor adventure boarding” service in June of this year.

Surrounded by BLM land, Best Paw Forward is located at 67746 Wildcat Trail, just off Horsefly Road.

Rice has over 20 years experience in the animal welfare industry. She originally opened Best Paw Forward in Parker before moving the business here. Best is from upstate New York but has lived in Colorado for most of her adult life. She has a degree in animal science and a degree in equine science.

She also has a certification in fear-free grooming and attended grooming school in Loveland.

Her business is online at TheBestPawForward.com.

Montrose Business Times:  So you just started an outdoor adventure kennel for boarding. What is that, and how does it differ from traditional boarding kennels?

Melissa Rice: The Best Paw Forward offers dog boarding on a very quiet 24-acre property that is surrounded by BLM land.  Our facility is located 15 minutes south of town, off of 550. There are just seven indoor/outdoor kennels that are climate controlled throughout the year.

Every dog who is staying here is given three to four opportunities per day to explore seven acres of fenced in, secure forest.

Dogs have the freedom to run, sniff, chase, dig-to pretty much be dogs. Owners also have the option to have their dogs go on hikes up to 5 miles while they are here as well as get groomed during their stay.

The dogs who have boarded here so far, absolutely love it. They are able to release their energy running in the forest and then fall asleep in the climate controlled kennels until their next adventure. When dogs come to board here, they are given the opportunity to just lay out in the sun, in the quiet, breathing in fresh air.

Due to the small size of the kennels and opportunities to exercise throughout the day, dogs seem to be a lot less stressed during their stay here compared to more traditional kennel settings.

MBT: You do grooming, too? How many regular clients do you see? And how do you ensure people keep coming back to Best Paw Forward?

Rice: Grooming is offered Monday-Friday at the Best Paw Forward.

There are currently about 150 clients who bring their dogs to the shop. Only one dog or family of dogs is scheduled to be groomed at a time which creates a calmer, quieter environment for the dogs.

Dogs are typically only at their grooming appointment for 1.5 hours and then head right back home. Clients love that their dogs aren’t in kennels all day and it really helps in minimizing stress for the dogs coming in for their grooming appointments.

I am certified as a fear-free groomer and a portion of the dogs that I see come due to past poor grooming experiences, fear levels or inexperience with grooming. I have found great success with these types of dogs and love providing this type of service to our community.

The Best Paw Forward has a Silver Muzzle club for older dogs that need more breaks during the process and just enjoy a small, quiet grooming environment.

We also offer beginning grooming sessions for puppies so that they are introduced to the entire grooming process slowly and in a positive manner.  This often results in the puppy enjoying being groomed for its entire life.

I have a high return rate with clients.  Clients tend to be very happy to see their dog coming home happy and not stressed after being groomed.

I offer excellent communication with all of my current and potential clients. People and their dogs at The Best Paw Forward are truly treated like family.

MBT: How did you get into the canine business?

Rice: I have always had a strong connection with animals big and small. After graduating from college, I began working in animal welfare, which holds a very strong place in my heart. I worked at various shelters throughout the United States during my 20 year animal welfare career.

My positions ranged from animal care, animal investigations, animal behavior and veterinary services.

Being able to provide my knowledge and education to animals in need has always been a very strong piece of who I am. After COVID, I decided to attend grooming school in Loveland, Colorado and begin my business in Parker, Colorado. After opening the grooming salon in Parker, I saw how great the need was for individualized care, especially for those dogs who were terrified of being groomed, typically because of a poor past experience.

There is such a need for educated groomers with an animal behavior background.  I have been very fulfilled to be able to provide a safe, quiet environment for the dogs and their families.

MBT: What’s your favorite part about what you do?

Rice: Honestly, I have so many favorite parts.  What probably makes my heart the happiest is to see the difference I can make to dogs who have had horrible past experiences with grooming.

I am often an owner’s last hope after being fired from other grooming shops.  When these clients see that their dog can improve and doesn’t have to be terrified, it is truly life changing for them and for their dog.

I also absolutely love seeing the dogs that are boarding here experience the freedom of running around the 7-acre forest.  I get to enjoy the fresh mountain air and be surrounded by happy dogs all day. It’s really the best.

MBT: How have you seen your business grow/change since you started it?

Rice: The outdoor adventure boarding space has been a wonderful addition to The Best Paw Forward. It is wonderful to provide this amazing environment when dogs are away from home.  During the first year of business in Montrose, The Best Paw Forward has continued to grow as word of mouth about the business has spread.  I have received a great level of support from most of the local veterinarians as well as some of the other boarding and grooming facilities around the area, which I will be forever thankful for.  The community of people and their dogs is amazing.