Great news! We are currently accepting new clients!
Please make sure your pup is at least six months old and has the canine influenza vaccine in addition to rabies, distemper, and bordetella.
a different kind of dog daycare & boarding
ABOUT US
The Mindful Mutt provides 5-star service to all of our clients by providing fun, safe, clean, healthy pet care.
THE MINDFUL MUTT'S GUIDING PRINCIPLES
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CLIENTS FIRST: Always acting in the best interest of the dogs without hesitation
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INDIVIDUALIZED CARE: Personalized care suited for your pet's individual needs
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TRANSPARENCY: Frequent communication and updates so you never have to worry about your pet
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HOLISTIC PET CARE: The Mindful Mutt is built around the understanding that a dog's health is multi-dimensional. It is a combination of physical, mental, social, and emotional health that comprise your dog's happiness.
OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR CLIENTS
We promise to treat every dog entrusted to our care with the same respect, love, and attention we would give our own. We are committed to providing a safe, clean, and enriching environment where dogs can thrive both mentally and physically.
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A BRIEF HISTORY​
The Mindful Mutt is a dog daycare and boarding company that opened in 2021 at 16 Harvard Avenue in Allston. Founded by Deanna Anderson, The Mindful Mutt provides enriched dog daycare and boarding services to clients and their furry friends. The Mindful Mutt’s excellent reputation is based on clear communication with clients and always doing what is best for each dog, even if that means referring them to a different pet care provider.
In 2025, Deanna passed ownership of The Mindful Mutt to Dan Bernblum. Under Dan’s leadership, the company remains dedicated to the same high standards of compassionate, enriching dog care that have defined it from the start. Looking ahead, Dan is focused on expanding The Mindful Mutt’s reach, allowing more dogs and their families to benefit from the trusted services for which the business is known.
SAFETY FIRST!
The Mindful Mutt is insured, trained in Pet First Aid and CPR, and committed to continuing education on animal behavior and pet care.
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Our team members undergo on-site training on dog behavior, body language, group play dynamics, positive reinforcement, agility training techniques, and safety.
Team training also includes special online courses from The Dog Gurus, the #1 staff training and business consulting group for the pet care industry. The Dog Gurus focus on raising the bar of safety and education in pet care, providing The Mindful Mutt with exclusive access to new tools and resources. Know your dog’s care is in the hands of professionals with a commitment to ongoing learning and access to the latest industry trends with the goal of keeping all dogs safe.
Fear Free's mission is to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets by inspiring and educating the people who care for them. Fear Free has become one of the single most transformative initiatives in the history of companion animal practice, providing unparalleled education on emotional wellbeing, enrichment, and the reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress in pets and improving the experience of every human and pet involved.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Dan Bernblum, FFCP
Owner, CEO & Fellow Dog Lover
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I’ve lived in New England my whole life, and throughout it all, I’ve been lucky enough to share my life with multiple beloved dogs, each of them inspiring my passion for leading a space where dogs feel safe, loved, and cared for. With a background that includes an undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross and an MBA from Boston College, I was drawn to the opportunity to carry forward The Mindful Mutt’s strong foundation and values.
As the owner and CEO, my top priority is making sure every dog who walks through our doors is treated with the same care I’d want for my own. My mission is to expand The Mindful Mutt’s reach so more families and their dogs can experience the joy and peace of mind we strive to provide every day. For me, this work isn’t just a business, it’s a lifelong love for dogs turned into a way of serving others.
Pete Samko
Manager
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Pete is a friend to animals of all shape and size with over a decade of experience in the dog daycare industry. With a background growing up in sports and coaching, Pete strives to bring a positive team-first attitude to all of his pursuits and cares deeply about showing up and showing out for his community. His passion for providing unparalleled pet care and quality customer interaction shines through in his daily work and ambition.
In addition to being a hopeless fanatic of all things sport and competition, Pete is a pop culture junkie and would love to talk to you about your favorite movie (his is Point Break). His dog, Chili, is a grumpy little pit mix who has been living in his back pocket for going on 12 years. Say hi when you see her around; could you be one of the rare but lucky few to convince her to accept a treat?​​
Lexi Sarro
Assistant Manager
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Lexi is the assistant manager on the Mindful Mutt team. Lexi brings with her a bachelor's degree in animal behavior from the University of New England, and is a graduate of the master dog trainer program at Highland Canine's School for Dog Trainers. She excitedly works closely with the rest of the Mindful Mutt team on enhancing the enrichment opportunities for the dogs in our care, as well as providing ongoing behavioral training to the staff.
Lexi has loved getting to know all of the wonderful dogs she has met so far, and is looking forward to what the future holds for the Mindful Mutt!
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