New CT Luxury Resort Combines Relaxing Music and Gourmet Treats with Unmatched Client Joy

A New Era of Pet Care: Wiggles Pet Resort Opens in Connecticut

A luxurious pet resort and spa has opened its doors in Middlebury, Connecticut, offering an exclusive experience for dogs that includes climate-controlled suites, gourmet treats, and entertainment options. This $5 million facility is the third and largest location of Wiggles Pet Resort, owned by mother-son duo Laura and Craig Laaman.

The resort features a range of amenities designed to provide comfort and enjoyment for pets. Each suite comes with relaxing music, flat-screen televisions, raised beds, and plush bedding. The TVs can show Animal Planet or dog-themed movies, ensuring that even the most discerning canine guests are entertained. Additionally, the resort includes five indoor-outdoor play yards for group or private play sessions, as well as individual potty areas for convenience.

Laura Laaman, a Southbury resident with over 30 years of experience in premium pet care, shared her vision for the resort. “We saw a void in this area for amazing pet care,” she said. “This is a wonderful pet community, and it was a tough market to get into.” She and her son, Craig, who is 36 years old, have six dogs between their families and recognized the need for a high-quality pet care facility.

Each location of Wiggles Pet Resort employs more than 20 staff members and is situated in a picturesque countryside setting with multiple acres. The design aims to make the dogs feel like they're on a vacation, complete with breakfast, housekeeping, and room service delivered with custom meals. The day includes outdoor play, snacks, rest breaks, and more playtime, creating a full and enjoyable schedule for the pets.

The first Wiggles location opened in Mahopac, New York, three and a half years ago, followed by a second location in Durham in February. The Middlebury location, which is double the size of the initial two, represents a $5 million investment. The building, constructed from the ground up, includes air filtration and purification systems, as well as advanced security features.

“We don’t know of any pet resort in our state and probably in the greater tri-state area that has the amenities and the details that we offer,” Laura Laaman said. “We took our 30 years of expertise of watching the best of the best pet care facilities and created really the best of everything that we could.”

The name “Wiggles” reflects the owners’ goal of making the dogs so happy they wiggle. The cost starts at $59 per night, with additional amenities available. “We don’t want to just warehouse dogs. We’re not a kennel. We’re about having fun and being engaged and enriched,” Laura said. “Everything is customized to the individual pet.”

In addition to overnight lodging, Wiggles offers doggie daycare, positive dog training, full-service grooming, and a nursery for puppies. These services allow pet owners to choose what’s best for their dogs, whether it’s exercise, pampering, or socialization.

Adrienne Sharon of North Madison has been taking her 8-month-old German Shepard mix, Kosmos, to the Durham location two or three days a week since the summer. She praised the cleanliness and the positive impact on her dog. “He loves it,” she said. “From the second he got there, I couldn’t believe it because I have never had a dog or a child that wanted to go to preschool and be away from mommy. But he is literally a different animal.”

Mollie, a 4-year-old Plott Hound/Mountain Cur rescue dog, has been attending the Durham location since it opened in February. She serves as a service dog for Cheryl Dargento of Northford. Dargento shared how important the socialization and safe environment are for Mollie. “When I tell her it’s Wiggles days, she jumps up and goes and sits by her leash,” she said. “She’s gone to other places, and I’ve never had that reaction from her before.”

Wiggles Pet Resort continues to redefine pet care, offering a unique blend of luxury, comfort, and engagement for dogs. With its commitment to quality and personalized service, it has become a trusted destination for pet owners seeking the best for their furry friends.