Today we’d like to introduce you to Brady Petrilli.
Hi Brady, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Brady Petrilli’s journey to becoming the General Manager of The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel and Dougie’s Dog Bar started the way many great animal care careers do, with a love for animals and a willingness to do the hard work behind the scenes.
Born and raised in Orlando, Brady always knew he wanted to work with animals. Over 12 years ago, he took his first step into the industry as a kennel technician. The job meant early mornings, late nights, cleaning kennels, walking dogs, and learning the small details that make animals feel safe and cared for. It was demanding work, but it built a foundation of knowledge, patience, and dedication.
Over the years, Brady worked his way up through the veterinary and animal care industry, gaining experience, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of what both pets and pet parents need. Every position along the way helped shape the professional he is today. Which is someone who believes that great animal care comes from teamwork, compassion, and attention to detail.
When the opportunity came to help launch something brand new in his hometown, Brady knew it was something special. He became the very first employee hired at The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel and Dougie’s Dog Bar, helping bring the vision of this unique facility come to life from the ground up.
Since opening the day after Christmas last year, the facility has quickly become a place where pets can play, stay, and be cared for like family and where the community can gather in a fun and welcoming environment.
For Brady, being part of this journey is more than just a job. It’s the chance to help build something meaningful in the city he grew up in. He’s proud to lead the team, support pet parents, and watch the community around The Ark and Dougie’s Dog Bar continue to grow.
And for him, the best part is knowing this is just the beginning!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Small Struggles –
Learning how to run a brand new facility where many systems, procedures, and routines had to be created from scratch.
Wearing multiple hats in the beginning. Some days meant managing staff, helping in the kennel, greeting customers, and solving problems all at once.
Training a brand new team while also learning the building, equipment, and daily operations together.
Adjusting quickly when things did not go as planned, like scheduling changes, busy rushes, or figuring out the best flow for daycare and boarding.
Helping build awareness in the community since the business was brand new and people were still discovering it.
The Easy, Fun, and Rewarding Parts –
Watching the first dogs come through the doors and seeing them enjoy the play yards and facilities.
Getting to know the regular dogs and their personalities.
Meeting pet parents from the Orlando community and building relationships with them.
Seeing the team grow more confident and skilled as everyone learned together.
Watching the facility go from an empty building to a busy place full of dogs, people, and energy.
Being part of creating a place where people can relax, bring their dogs, and connect with others who love animals.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel and Dougie’s Dog Bar are built around one simple idea: creating a place where dogs and their people feel equally welcome. Our facility combines premium pet care with a unique social environment for the community, offering boarding, daycare, grooming, and a dog friendly bar all in one location.
At The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel, we specialize in high quality care for dogs whether they are here for a day of play, an overnight stay, or a full grooming service. Our focus is on safety, structured play, and personalized attention so every dog feels comfortable and cared for. Our team is trained to understand dog behavior and group dynamics, which helps us create a safe and enriching environment for every guest.
Dougie’s Dog Bar brings a completely different but complementary experience. It is a space where dog lovers can relax, socialize, and enjoy a drink while their dogs play nearby. The goal is to create a community hub where people who love dogs can connect, unwind, and spend quality time with their pets.
What truly sets us apart is the combination of professional pet care and community focused experiences. We are not just a boarding facility and we are not just a bar. We are a place where dogs can stay, play, and be pampered while their owners enjoy a welcoming atmosphere designed for both pets and people.
Brand wise, what we are most proud of is the culture we are building. From the very beginning, our focus has been on creating a team that genuinely cares about the animals and the people who walk through our doors. That passion shows in the relationships we build with our regular dogs and their families.
We want readers to know that when they visit The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel and Dougie’s Dog Bar, they are not just dropping their dog off somewhere or stopping in for a drink. They are becoming part of a community that celebrates dogs, responsible pet care, and the joy that animals bring to our lives.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
My view on risk has always been that growth rarely happens without it. In the animal care and hospitality industries especially, you often have to trust your experience, make decisions quickly, and be willing to try something new even when there is not a guaranteed outcome.
One of the biggest risks I have taken was stepping into a leadership role at a brand new facility like The Ark Pet Spa & Hotel and Dougie’s Dog Bar. Startups always come with uncertainty. There were no established systems, no long standing routines, and no built in customer base yet. Everything had to be built from the ground up, from hiring and training a team to developing daily procedures and building relationships within the community. It was a big responsibility, but it was also an exciting opportunity to help shape the culture and direction of the business from the very beginning.
I do not think of risk as being reckless. For me, it is about being thoughtful, prepared, and confident in the experience you have gained along the way. Working in the veterinary and animal care industry for over 12 years has taught me how to evaluate situations, solve problems, and adapt when things do not go exactly as planned.
Taking that leap into a startup environment meant trusting my background, my leadership skills, and my passion for the industry. Looking back, it has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have made. Watching the business grow, seeing dogs and their owners become regulars, and building a strong team has made that initial risk completely worth it.
My perspective on risk today is simple. If something aligns with your values, challenges you to grow, and gives you the opportunity to build something meaningful, it is usually a risk worth taking.
Pricing:
- Cat Boarding Overnight $36.00
- Exotic Boarding Overnight $32.00
- Dog Boarding Overnight (Standard Room) $65.00
- Dog Boarding Overnight (VIP Suite) $90.00
- Daycare $45.00 per day / Half Day $25.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arkpethotel.com/
- Other: https://www.dougiesdogbar.com/
