Our Story
It started long ago back in 2004 living in Malibu CA, It's A Dogs Life Academy owner Alecia Nelson worked in the Fitness Industry full time and as a side hobby she boarded and trained pups & also worked with Olympic Diver Greg Louganis's dogs over time as he became competitive in AKC agility dog events. Nelson decided to take a leave from the Fitness Industry after working with clients for 25 years. Nelson partnered with a friend & in 2011 the first It's A Dogs Life Academy was established in the state of Maine. Upon their arrival along the shores of Maine, the Mainers said, you never move from Malibu to Maine, you move from Maine to Malibu. With that being said, they took the challenge on regardless as the city suggested they needed a business like It's A Dogs life Academy established in their cute town, especially with a little L.A. flare". Within 6 months It's A Dogs Life Academy was slammed with boarders, day campers and private training. Within the first 6 months editorials appeared in the Down East Magazine rating It's A Dogs Life Academy as the "Best" doggie business's in Maine. For the next four years they received 'Best In Town' yearly awards and a 2nd editorial with Down East Magazine.
After a four year established dog service business the native California girls made a decision to open a smaller location back in sunny SOCAL. Both Nelson and her business partner decided to open the 2nd It's A Dogs Life Academy in San Clemente, California in 2014. As a smaller scaled version than the original 5 acre It's A Dogs Life Academy, the daycare, pack walks, dog training carried on with a school structured environment like the original. The key to their environment carried on from Maine with "No Noise" through out the day while the dogs are at play. The only noise you hear is when someone arrives to drop off a dog or pick up a dog briefly. Not only did they land in San Clemente CA with a new business Nelson brought a new addition white pug from Maine who Nelson called Gidget.
Nelson trained her pug for two years in dog agility and paddled the seas of Maine. When landing in San Clemente Nelson entered her pug into a surf competition where Gidget place 3rd immediately and never thought she would have a talented champion surf pug winning future competitions and hitting every news network, editorial magazine, tv spots, charities & two children's books one authored by Nelson.. Nelson now has her own charity foundation called "Surf Gidget The Pug Healing Hearts Foundation". The foundation rescues broken pups & are rehabilitated & trained through It's A Dogs Life Academy & re homed. Surf Gidget The Pug has her own personal site & social media platforms, she's quite a hoot to say the least. Nelson and her business partner strive to run their business on the personal side, many of their customers and their dogs have become extended family and close friends. Come and visit and you can say hi to the crazy wild surfing pug.
