Dog Boarding Services

Texas West Animal Health offers dog boarding services through our Texas West Animal House for pet owners in Santo and throughout Palo Pinto County. Our fully climate-controlled boarding kennel is staffed by the same veterinary team that cares for your dog’s health year-round—so you can leave knowing your pet is in familiar, trusted hands.

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A Dog Boarding Kennel You Can Feel Good About

Leaving your dog behind when life takes you away from home isn’t always easy. We get that. Our pet boarding facility was designed to give dogs a comfortable, safe, and engaging place to stay—and to give their owners genuine peace of mind. Because we’re a full-service veterinary practice, our staff is trained to recognize signs of illness or stress and respond accordingly. That’s a level of attentiveness you won’t find at a standard dog boarding kennel.

Whether you’re heading out of town for a weekend or an extended trip, your dog has a place to stay in Santo, TX, where they’ll be active, comfortable, and well cared for by people who already know them.

What’s Included in Your Dog’s Stay

Our dog boarding kennel was built with your pet’s comfort and daily routine in mind. Here’s what every boarding stay includes:

Climate-controlled accommodations

Texas summers are no joke, and our kennel stays comfortable year-round. Every dog in our care benefits from:

Fully climate-controlled indoor housing
Clean, well-maintained kennel spaces
A calm, low-stress environment managed by our veterinary staff

Indoor play yard

Dogs need activity and engagement to stay happy during their stay. Our indoor play area provides:

Supervised play and movement throughout the day
Safe, enclosed space for exercise and socialization
Staff oversight by team members trained in animal behavior and health

Outdoor exercise pens

Fresh air and outdoor time are part of a healthy daily routine. Our outdoor exercise pens offer:

Supervised outdoor access during appropriate weather
Space for dogs to stretch, explore, and decompress
Secure, well-maintained enclosures for safe outdoor time

Grooming room

Want your dog freshened up before heading home? Our team is happy to give your pet a bath during their stay—in fact, every dog staying more than 4 days receives a complimentary bath from our team! It’s one more way we go beyond the basics to ensure your dog returns home clean, happy, and comfortable.

Because our boarding services are part of the same practice that provides wellness checks and urgent veterinary care, any health concerns that arise during your dog’s stay are handled promptly by a team who already knows and cares for your pet.

Small white dog with tan ears wearing a green harness, sitting on a stainless-

Why Boarding at a Veterinary Practice Makes a Difference

Choosing a dog boarding kennel that’s part of a full-service veterinary clinic isn’t just convenient—it can genuinely impact your dog’s safety and well-being during their stay. Here’s what sets veterinary-based pet boarding apart:

Health Monitoring by Trained Staff: Our team knows what normal looks like for dogs, and they know when something isn’t right—whether it’s a change in appetite, energy level, or behavior.
Immediate Access to Veterinary Care: If your dog needs medical attention during their stay, there’s no delay and no transport involved—our veterinarians are on-site.
Medication Management: Whether your dog has ongoing care needs addressed through our pet wellness checks or is recovering after receiving pet surgical services, our team can help maintain their established care routine during their stay.
Familiar Faces: Many of our boarding guests are also regular patients—they already know our staff, and our staff already knows them.
Vaccination Verification: We require current vaccines for all boarding dogs to help protect the health of every animal in our kennel.
Peace of Mind for Owners: Knowing your dog is with a veterinary team—not just kennel staff—changes how you feel about being away.

Boarding Requirements

To keep all of our boarding guests healthy and safe, we require that dogs are up to date on rabies, distemper/parvo (DHPP), leptospirosis, and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines, plus a negative heartworm test and current heartworm prevention.

If your dog is due for vaccines or heartworm testing, we can often coordinate that directly with their boarding reservation—just let us know when you book. You can also complete our boarding kennel agreement online prior to your visit.

If your dog takes medications or has specific health needs, please share those details when scheduling. Our veterinary team is fully equipped to maintain your dog’s care routine and address any health concerns that arise during their stay.

A person crouches and reaches toward a standing brown-and-white dog in an

Rows of blue metal storage cages with wire fronts and hanging waterfeeder

Dog Boarding Backed by Full Veterinary Care

At Texas West Animal Health, pet boarding isn’t a separate operation—it’s part of a full-service practice where the same team handles your dog’s wellness care, dental health, surgical needs, and urgent situations.

When your dog stays with us, they’re not just checked in at a kennel. They’re in the care of a veterinary staff that already knows their history, understands their health, and is equipped to act if anything changes. That level of continuity is what makes our dog boarding kennel in Santo, TX different from the alternatives. Families across Palo Pinto County trust us with their dogs’ health every day—and that trust extends to every night their dog spends in our care.

FAQs About Our Dog Boarding Services

What vaccinations are required for boarding?

Dogs must be current on Rabies, Distemper-Parvo, Lepto, and Bordetella (Kennel Cough) vaccines, as well as have a negative heartworm test and be on active heartworm prevention. If you’re unsure whether your dog is up to date on these requirements, give us a call. We can check their records and schedule anything they need before their stay!

Can I board my dog if they’re on medication?

Yes. Please share any medications, dosing schedules, and health conditions when you book your reservation. Our veterinary staff will ensure your dog’s routine is maintained throughout their stay.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking as early as possible, especially around holidays and busy travel seasons. Call our team to check availability and reserve your dog’s spot.

Can I bring my dog’s food and belongings from home?

Absolutely. Bringing your dog’s regular food helps prevent digestive upset during their stay, and a familiar blanket or toy can provide comfort in a new environment. Please label all items clearly with your dog’s name.

My dog recently had surgery. Can they still board?

It depends on the procedure and where your dog is in their recovery. If your pet has recently had surgery with our team, we’ll work with you to determine whether boarding is appropriate based on their recovery status and care needs.

Do you board cats or other animals?

Our main boarding facility is designed specifically for dogs, while cat boarding is hosted right next door at our clinic! If you have questions about boarding your feline friend or caring for other species, give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

Does the Boarding clinic offer grooming?

While we don’t offer full grooming services, our team is happy to provide basic nail trims and baths! Plus, any pet staying with us for more than four days receives a complimentary bath before heading home.