Pet Boarding & Daycare
Where Pets Are Family at Smith Mountain Lake · Bedford, VA
Published in partnership with Little Ponderosa Pet Resort & Spa
Book online anytime
| Mon | 7:00 AM – 7:00 AM |
| Tue | 7:00 AM – 7:00 AM |
| Wed | 7:00 AM – 7:00 AM |
| Thu | 7:00 AM – 7:00 AM |
| Fri | 7:00 AM – 7:00 AM |
| Sat | 7:30 AM – 7:00 AM |
| Sun | Closed |
Little Ponderosa Pet Resort & Spa is a premier pet boarding and daycare facility serving Bedford, VA and the Smith Mountain Lake community. Conveniently located just five minutes from Halesford Bridge, the resort was founded by fellow pet parents who understand the difficulty of leaving furry companions behind. The facility is built on the philosophy that pets aren't just like family — they are family. Every dog and cat receives individualized care in a safe, loving environment designed to make them feel at home while their owners are away.
The resort offers climate-controlled overnight suites for dogs and cats, each with private outdoor patios so pets can enjoy fresh air and sunshine in comfort. King Suites accommodate larger dogs and multi-dog families with 6x4.5-foot indoor spaces and covered outdoor patios. Mini King and Queen Suites provide flexible options for smaller breeds or multiple pets sharing a suite. Cat condos offer spacious, secure environments tailored for feline guests. All suites include raised beds, stainless-steel bowls, and secure lockers for personal belongings. Overnight guests can participate in daycare at a reduced rate, giving them socialization and exercise during their stay.
The doggie daycare program emphasizes safe, supervised play in spacious outdoor areas where dogs can socialize, exercise, and burn off energy under the watchful eye of passionate animal lovers. Structured activities include group play sessions and individual enrichment, with designated rest periods throughout the day. The resort also offers professional grooming spa services and pack-leadership-based dog training designed to transform the relationship between people and their dogs from challenging to fulfilling. Training focuses on establishing trusted, respectful leadership so dogs can thrive as cooperative, well-behaved companions.
Little Ponderosa is known for transparency and communication. Pet parents receive daily photos and email updates, providing peace of mind that their pets are happy, safe, and well-cared-for. All guests must provide current vaccinations (Bordetella, Da2pp, Rabies) and proof of flea/tick prevention. Reservations are managed through the PawPartner app for convenience. Whether pets are enjoying an overnight vacation retreat, spending the day playing with friends, being pampered by expert groomers, or learning new skills through training, they're treated with the same love and attention the team gives their own pets. Little Ponderosa serves Bedford, Smith Mountain Lake, and surrounding areas in central Virginia.
Best for: Smith Mountain Lake pet owners needing boarding or daycare, families planning vacations who want daily updates, dogs who thrive with structured socialization and outdoor play, cats needing secure and comfortable boarding, pet parents seeking pack-leadership-based training
Service area: Bedford, VA and the Smith Mountain Lake area, conveniently located 5 minutes from Halesford Bridge
Why choose Little Ponderosa Pet Resort & Spa: Little Ponderosa stands out in the Bedford/Smith Mountain Lake area with its private outdoor patios for every dog suite, daily photo and email updates for transparency, and pack-leadership training philosophy. The family-run facility's 4.9-star rating reflects their commitment to treating pets like family, while the PawPartner app booking system and reduced daycare rates for overnight guests add convenience and value.
Private Outdoor Patios for Every Suite: Every dog suite includes its own private outdoor patio with shade covering, allowing pets to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and gentle breezes in a secure, climate-controlled space year-round.
Daily Photo & Email Updates for Pet Parents: The resort provides daily photo updates and personalized email messages detailing your pet's activities, socialization, and well-being, ensuring transparency and peace of mind while you're away.
Pack Leadership Training Philosophy: Dog training focuses on establishing respectful, loving pack leadership to transform challenging dynamics into fulfilling, cooperative relationships — creating secure, well-behaved companions.
5 Minutes from Smith Mountain Lake: Conveniently located just five minutes from Halesford Bridge, the resort is perfectly positioned to serve families in the Smith Mountain Lake area with easy drop-off and pick-up access.
What vaccinations are required for boarding or daycare?
All pets must provide proof of current Bordetella, Da2pp (DHPP or DHLPP), and Rabies vaccinations, along with acknowledgement that they are current on flea and tick prevention. Vaccination records must be submitted at the time of reservation or check-in.
What do the overnight boarding suites include?
All suites are climate-controlled with AC and heating. Each dog suite includes a private outdoor patio with shade covering, a raised bed, and stainless-steel food bowls. Pets also receive a secure locker to store their food and belongings. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food in an air-tight container and any special bedding, toys, harnesses, or leashes to make them feel at home.
How much does overnight boarding cost?
Dog boarding rates are $50/day for King and Mini King Suites, and $40/day for Queen Suites. Additional dogs in the same suite cost $30/day (King/Mini King) or $25/day (Queen). Cat boarding is $25/day for the first cat and $18/day for each additional cat in the same condo.
What happens during a typical doggie daycare day?
Dogs enjoy supervised play in spacious outdoor areas, structured group activities, individual enrichment exercises, and designated rest periods. All play is monitored by trained staff to ensure safe, positive interactions. At the end of the day, pet parents receive a personalized message with photos detailing their dog's activities and socialization.
Can overnight boarding guests participate in daycare?
Yes! Overnight guests have the option to participate in the doggie daycare program at a reduced rate, allowing them to socialize, exercise, and play with other guests during their stay.
What is the training philosophy at Little Ponderosa?
The resort uses pack-leadership-based training to establish a respectful, loving relationship between humans and dogs. The goal is to help dogs feel secure under the guidance of a trusted leader, transforming challenging dynamics into fulfilling, cooperative partnerships and creating well-behaved, confident companions.
How do I make a reservation?
Reservations are made through the PawPartner app. Click the 'Reserve Here' button on the website to access the booking system. All guests must provide signed liability forms and current vaccination records at the time of reservation or check-in.
Will I get updates about my pet during their stay?
Absolutely. Little Ponderosa provides daily photos and email updates so pet parents can see how their pets are doing. This transparency ensures peace of mind, knowing your pet is happy, safe, and well-cared-for in a loving environment.
“My little puppies love it here!! They have been to Little Ponderosa the past 3 days, the past two days, they run to the front door! They do tours on Monday/Tuesday too! My favorite part of the day now is getting pictures of my little babies playing 😍”
— Casey Johnson Realtor, Google Review
“We love boarding our dogs here! Staff is always super friendly. We also LOVE getting pictures throughout their stay! I attached one of the pics we got during their stay. Cracked us up! My dogs must really like it here! Thank you! :)”
— Lindsey Everage, Google Review
“We have boarded our Bongo at Little Ponderosa for several nights, as well as taken him for Doggie Daycare on a few occasions. Bongo has gotten his nails trimmed there twice as well. He is so excited to see his human and dog friends there. I love the messages and pictures the staff sends us to let us know our pup is doing fine and having fun. Great staff and clean facility!”
— Darlene Didrickson, Google Review
“Five stars isn’t enough! I’ve been bringing my dogs here for years, and I can confidently say this is the best pet daycare and boarding facility in the area. As a local, it gives me such peace of mind knowing my pups are not only safe but truly treated like family every time they visit. The moment we pull into the parking lot, they’re practically leaping out of the car with excitement! The staff is absolutely wonderful—you can tell they genuinely love my furbabies and take the time to get to know each one individually. The care and attention they provide go above and beyond. And don’t get me started on the spa services—top notch! My dogs come home looking and smelling amazing. I especially appreciate Ali—she's a pro at nail trims and makes the whole process stress-free (for both me and my pups!). I wouldn’t trust my dogs anywhere else. Highly recommend!”
— Josie King, Google Review
“This place is amazing! I received pics every day of my Rita, which definitely eased my mind. I opted for a bath on her last day and she came home so clean and fresh. Even the blanket I sent with her came back freshly laundered! Since she is reactive to other dogs they made sure she got independent play time each day. Every staff member I met was so kind. We will use this place every time we need to board Rita from now on!”
— Carly Garrett, Google Review
Book online: Reserve Here →
Phone: (540) 297-7200
Address: 2533 Feldspar Rd, Bedford, VA 24523 (Get directions)
Website: lppetresort.com/
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