Best of ORL 2019 – Kids & Pets
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Refreshing Paws
Karina Pastrana sometimes feels judged when out in public discussing her dog’s acupuncture treatments or the fortune she spends on pet food. So she reserves that talk for her customers at Happy Paws Pet Resort— people who can relate.
“These are the parents I don’t feel silly talking with about all the things I do for my pets,” she says. “I found my people.”
Karina and her husband, Michael, opened Happy Paws, a dog boarding facility in east Orlando, in 2008. They decided to treat their canine guests with amenities they’d want for their pets—a bone-shaped swimming pool, cushy bedding and double-insulated walls that shield from stressful noises, such as thunderstorms.
Karina says they also treat their staff and clients as they’d want to be treated, which she says creates a loving environment.
“I’ve gone to homes of the clients [to pick up their pet for boarding]. And I’ve been there when they have to put down their dogs,” she says. “You become a part of someone’s family, especially when you see them on a daily basis.” happypawsorlando.com
Preschool
1 StarChild Academy
Multiple Orlando-area locations
starchildacademy.com
2 Ladybird Academy
Multiple Orlando-area locations
ladybirdacademy.com
3 The First Academy
Orlando
thefirstacademy.org
Private School, K-5
1 StarChild Academy
Multiple Orlando-area locations
starchildacademy.com
2 Lake Highland
Preparatory School
Orlando
lhps.org
3 The First Academy
Orlando
thefirstacademy.org
Private School, 6-8
1 Lake Highland
Preparatory School
Orlando
lhps.org
2 The First Academy
Orlando
thefirstacademy.org
3 Trinity Preparatory School
Winter Park
trinityprep.org
Private School, 9-12
1 Lake Highland
Preparatory School
Orlando
lhps.org
2 Trinity
Preparatory School
Winter Park
trinityprep.org
3 The First Academy
Orlando
thefirstacademy.org
Summer Camp
1 StarChild Academy
Multiple Orlando-area locations
starchildacademy.com
2 Ladybird Academy
Multiple Orlando-area locations
ladybirdacademy.com
3 Orlando Science Center
Loch Haven Park
osc.org
Place for Baby & Children’s Clothing
1 Carter’s
Eight Orlando-area loations
carters.com
2 Tugboat & the Bird
Downtown Winter Park
tugboatandthebird.com
3 babyGAP
Three Orlando-area locations
gap.com
Dog Park
Lake Baldwin Park (ROBERTO GONZALEZ)
1 Lake Baldwin Park
Lakemont Avenue,
Winter Park
cityofwinterpark.org
2 Central Winds Park
Winter Springs
winterspringsfl.org
3 West Orange Dog Park
Winter Garden
West Orange Dog Park on Facebook
Animal Hospital
Tuscawilla Oaks Animal Hospital (ROBERTO GONZALEZ)
1 Tuscawilla Oaks
Animal Hospital
Oviedo
tuscawillaoaksah.com
2 Banfield Pet Hospital
Multiple Orlando-area locations
banfield.com
3 Grand Oaks Pet Hospital
Dr. Phillips area
grandoakspethospital.com
Specialty Pet Store
1 Woof Gang Bakery
Multiple Orlando-area locations
woofgangbakery.com
2 PetSmart
Multiple Orlando-area locations
petsmart.com
3 All 4 Pets
Four Orlando-area
locations
all4petsorlando.com
Pet-Friendly Restaurant
1 Rock & Brews
Oviedo; Lee Vista area
rockandbrews.com
2 Yellow Dog Eats
Gotha
yellowdogeats.com
3 The Sanctum
Fern Creek Avenue
thesanctumcafe.com
Doggie Day Care
1 Happy Paws Pet Resort
East Orlando
happypawsorlando.com
2 Ranger’s Pet
Outpost & Retreat
Winter Park
rangerspetoutpost.com
3 Pet Paradise Resort
Three Orlando-area locations
petparadiseresort.com
Pet Spa & Grooming
1 Ashley’s Pack
South Semoran Boulevard
facebook.com/ashleyspackllc
2 Happy Paws Pet Resort
East Orlando
happypawsorlando.com
3 Plush Paws
College Park
plushpawsinc.com
