Myrna Lloyd’s Doggy Playcare offers dog walking, pet sitting and two to three-hour daytime playgroups for dogs. They do not currently offer overnight stays, but future plans include acquiring a commercial space where overnight stays can be accommodated.

Owners and operators John Aganon and Brad Ballard have been involved with dogs since childhood. Recent transplants to San Diego from San Francisco, the couple started Myrna Lloyd’s Doggy Playcare – named after Ballard’s late dog, Myrna Lloyd – while still in San Francisco, and transferred it to San Diego in August.

“For some, their dogs are all they have, and with their hectic schedules and busy lifestyles, they can now rest assured,” Ballard said. “We’re offering a service and the peace of mind that your canine companion – your ‘child’ – is being cared for and happy while your away at work, on vacation, or just unable to get them the exercise and socialization that you wish and they require.”

Doggy Playcare’s play groups consist of like-minded, like-sized and like-tempered dogs (well socialized dogs only), which take fieldtrips to beaches, parks and trails in the central San Diego area.

Myrna Lloyd’s Doggy Playcare, which operates Monday through Friday, offers pick-up and drop-off services for their clients’ pets. Weekends and holiday services can be arranged through special request depending on availability.

Aganon and Ballard are members of and contribute to various organizations, including the ASPCA, PAWS, Project Open Hand, Project Inform, Habitat for Humanity, the Save Mount Diablo Foundation, the San Francisco and the San Diego Zoological Society as well as San Francisco SPCA.