Two People. One Property.
Three Decades of Doing This Right.
Luxury Unleashed is owned and operated entirely by Shannon and Dennis Heggem. No employees. No shortcuts. Just two people who built their life around taking care of dogs.
The Girl Who Opened a Grooming Salon at Nine
Shannon Heggem opened her first grooming salon in her parents’ backyard. She was nine years old, her clients were the neighborhood dogs, and she had absolutely no idea what she was doing. But she knew one thing: she wanted to spend every minute of her life with dogs.
That little girl grew up and turned that backyard obsession into a career that has spanned more than three decades. She became a Certified Master Groomer and Canine Behaviorist. She launched one of the first luxury pet resorts in the country in 1993. She founded grooming schools, designed facilities worldwide, trained hundreds of professionals, and became the recognized global authority in luxury pet care.
Today, Shannon and her husband Dennis operate Luxury Unleashed together, personally caring for every single guest. No employees, no revolving staff. When your dog stays here, Shannon and Dennis are the ones feeding them, walking them, tucking them in, and yes, hand-feeding them at 2 a.m. if that’s what it takes.
Everything I’ve built in this industry has been leading to exactly this. The dogs who end up here, whether they’re boarding guests or rescues, they’re getting the best version of everything I’ve learned in 30 years.
30 Years of Doing What Nobody Else Does
Certified Master Groomer & Canine Behaviorist
Dual certifications in both grooming and kenneling, a distinction held by only three individuals worldwide. Shannon’s expertise covers every aspect of canine care, behavior, and facility design.
Luxury Pet Care Pioneer
Launched one of the first luxury pet suite facilities in the United States in 1993. Shannon has spent three decades defining what luxury pet care actually means, consulting with elite facilities worldwide.
International Speaker & Educator
Former member of the National Speakers Association. Founded the Montana School of Professional Dog Grooming and the Fast Track Institute of Pet Careers. Trained hundreds of successful pet professionals.
Published Writer
Freelance writer for Luxury Facts Magazine, Pets+, Pet Services Journal, Grooming Business Magazine, Pet Business Magazine, and numerous other industry publications.
Red Cross Certified
Certified in Pet First Aid and CPR. Also certified in Reiki and infrared massage therapy, providing holistic wellness services to boarding guests.
Rescue Founder
Founder of Gigi’s Gems Chihuahua Rescue, a nonprofit devoted to senior and special needs Chihuahuas. Over 15 years of rescue experience with medically complex and behaviorally challenging dogs.
When Gordon Ramsay Needed a Kennel Expert, He Called Shannon
One of Shannon’s defining career moments came when Gordon Ramsay personally requested her design expertise for an episode of FOX’s Hotel Hell. A Vermont inn featured on the show had a boarding kennel that desperately needed transformation.
Shannon appeared as a guest, but she was really there to work. The kennel makeover became a pivotal part of the episode, showcasing Shannon’s ability to take a struggling pet facility and turn it into something extraordinary. It’s the same approach she brings to Luxury Unleashed every single day.
Watch the Episode →
The One the Scared Dogs Always Find
Dennis is a Navy veteran and retired pharmacist who never imagined he’d spend his retirement with a lap full of Chihuahuas. But here we are.
There’s something about him that scared dogs just feel. The ones who hide under the bed, the ones who shake when a man walks into the room, the ones who have every reason in the world to never trust again. They find their way to Dennis. He doesn’t reach for them. He doesn’t rush them. He just sits on the floor and waits. And eventually, they come.
Every single time.
Not a Boarding Kennel. An Indoor Village.
Luxury Unleashed has operated on this property since 1998. Private themed cottages, spacious play yards, lush clover lawns, and big shady trees. Every inch of this facility was designed with one thing in mind: making dogs feel at home.
Themed Private Cottages
Each cottage is a self-contained mini-home with a memory-foam bed, private TV tuned to dog-specific programming, and a camera for 24/7 monitoring. Low-rise trundles for little ones who shouldn’t jump. Twin beds for multi-dog families. Every detail customized.
Outdoor Play Yards
Multiple fenced, spacious yards for pool time, fetch, group play, and good old-fashioned running around. Plus a graveled restroom yard for quick breaks. Exercise and socialization in a safe, monitored environment.
Chemical-Free Throughout
Enzymatic, non-toxic cleansers. Organic lawn care with vinegar and salt for weed control. No-VOC paint. The entire facility is designed to be safe for even the most sensitive dogs. Shannon will readily tell you she’s an OCD germaphobe. This place is immaculate.
State-of-the-Art Security
The entire property is monitored by a comprehensive security system around the clock. Cameras in every cottage. Shannon and Dennis live on-site. Your dog’s safety isn’t a feature here. It’s the foundation everything else is built on.
Stay Connected
Miss your buddy? Every cottage has a camera so we can keep an eye on your dog around the clock. Whether they’re napping on the memory-foam bed, watching TV, or doing that thing only they do, we’re always watching.
Now You Know Us.
Let Us Get to Know Your Dog.
Every stay starts with a conversation. Fill out an application, and we’ll set up an online tour and phone call to learn about your dog, answer your questions, and make sure we’re the right fit.
