A licensed, loving, home‑based retreat in Chesterfield for dogs who need more than just kennels.
I’m Alison, and I’m the owner of AK’s Home From Home Dog Retreat Chesterfield. I’m naturally calm, patient and gentle, and I’ve always connected with animals in a way that feels instinctive. I’m married to Steve, who supports me in everything I do and helps turn my ideas into real working project, from designing my logos to building my website. He proudly calls himself the Chief Dog Player and takes his role of picking up the poos very seriously. We don’t have children, so we spoil our dogs just as if they were.
My professional background is in pharmacy. I started out working in a local pharmacy before moving into critical care for Sheffield Hospitals as a pharmacy technician. Later, I became a lecturer for Bradford College, where I now assess and teach pharmacy technician levels. All my teaching work is online, which has given me the flexibility to bring my boarding ideas to life, and my workplace has been incredibly supportive of me juggling both roles.
Outside of dogs and work, I love theatre and musicals, and I have a passion for running when I get the “up and go” feeling. Me and Steve holiday in Cornwall twice a year, and it’s one of our favourite places. Something about Cornwall brings out confidence in Kane, he loves the beach, the sea, and the wind in his hair as he runs along the dunes of Perranporth.
One of our dreams is to write a short children’s story about animals going over the rainbow and having adventures, to help children cope with the loss of a pet. It’s something close to our hearts, and one day we hope to bring it to life.
Running AK’s Home From Home Dog Retreat is more than a job for me, it’s part of who I am. I care for every dog as if they were my own, and I want owners to feel completely at ease knowing their dog is loved, understood and treated like family.
I’ve loved dogs for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my parents always had dogs in the house, and they were a huge part of our family life. I wasn’t the one training them — that was mostly my parents — but I was always the one cuddling them, playing with them, and wanting them by my side. Having dogs around just felt natural to me.
When I bought my first house at 26, I finally got my very own dog, Zak. He was the first dog that was truly mine, and he taught me so much about responsibility, routine, and the bond you build when a dog depends on you every day.
After Zak came Kane, and later Axel, each one with their own personality, quirks, and lessons. Those three dogs shaped everything about the way I care for animals today. Kane especially with his anxieties and nervous natur, pushed me to learn more, understand more, and create an environment where dogs who don’t fit the “perfect” mould can still feel safe, calm, and loved.
Dogs have always been part of my life, part of my home, and part of who I am. Running AK’s Home From Home Dog Retreat is just a natural extension of that giving other families the reassurance that their dogs are cared for with the same love and attention I give my own.
I’ve been lucky to have some incredible dogs in my life over the years. Each one has left their own mark and helped shape the way I care for visiting dogs today.
My current two dogs, Kane and Axel, are friendly, gentle, and well‑socialised. They’re brilliant with visiting dogs and help create a playful, calm, and welcoming atmosphere in our home.
My journey into home boarding really began with my eldest Border Collie, Kane. I struggle with anxiety myself, and when we first got Kane, I found it incredibly hard to settle whenever he was away from me. Kane is a very nervous dog with his own anxieties and obsessions, and although he’s the most loving boy, many places simply didn’t know how to handle him.
We tried trainers, different methods, daycares, and boarding options, but we never felt truly welcome. Kane didn’t fit the “ideal dog” that big, well‑known places prefer, and because of that, we often felt like we couldnt return or they was trying to put us off him having any further stays.
That’s what inspired me to start AK’s Home From Home Dog Retreat. I wanted to create a place where dogs like Kane, anxious, nervous, quirky, or simply different, are accepted, understood, and cared for properly.
AK is named after my two dogs, Axel and Kane. And my therapy business, Kane9 Dog Massage & Rehabilitation Therapy, is named after Kane to, because he’s the reason I learned so much about behaviour, anxiety, and how to support dogs who need a little extra understanding.
I’ve adapted my home over the years to make it a safe, spacious, and comfortable environment for visiting dogs. Every room is separated by secure gates, which lets me manage routines, personalities, and energy levels calmly and safely.
There’s also a two‑door safety system between the indoor rooms and the garden. Both my front and rear gardens are covered by CCTV, so It gives peace of mind that the dogs are safe, The dogs are never left alone to play on thier own, its always supervise play and toilet breaks.
The garden itself is large, fully secure, and designed specifically with dogs in mind. Every plant has been hand‑selected as dog‑friendly, because many common plants are toxic to dogs.
I like to be honest: I can’t guarantee your dog will come home clean, especially in winter when the garden gets muddy and the dogs are having fun. But I can guarantee they’ll have a brilliant time, plenty of enrichment, and lots of love.
