Welcome to At The Barkyard!

Where pets play, stay, and feel at home.

We are Mark and DJ—lifelong animal lovers, proud pet parents, and founders of At The Barkyard, a cozy, safe, and joyful retreat for your furry companions in Palmyra, VA. Our journey began in 2025 when we moved into our first home with Leo (a Beagle-Lab mix, age 6) and Sophie (a Silver Lab, age 1). Their playful barks in the backyard inspired our name and our mission: to create a space where pets are cared for life family.

🐶 Why Choose Us?

• 🏡 Home-Based Comfort: Our clutter-free, hygienic home is designed with pet safety in mind. Pets enjoy a fenced-in backyard free of debris and harmful chemicals, monitored by security cameras for added peace of mind.

• 🩺 Prepared & Proactive: We maintain a dedicated pet first-aid kit, an emergency handbook, and a quick-reference guide for nutrition and care.

• 🎓 Experienced & Educated: With over 30 years of combined pet care experience—from dogs and cats to chickens and rabbits—we know what it takes to keep animals happy and healthy. Mark also volunteered at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Northern Virginia.

• 📚 Committed to Growth: We’re proud members of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and are actively pursuing certifications in pet sitting, first aid, CPR, and general animal care. Our long-term goal? To become Certified Professional Animal Care Providers through the PACCC.

🐕 Services We Offer

Whether you're heading out for the day or planning a trip, we’ve got you covered:

• Dog walking 🚶‍♂️

• Daytime pet sitting 🐾

• Weekend daycare 🌞

• Overnight stays 🌙

We welcome pets into our home as if they were our own—because they deserve nothing less.

💬 Let’s Connect

Ready to book or have questions? Reach out to us anytime—we’d love to meet you and your pet!

📧 Contact Us 📍 Serving Fluvanna, VA and surrounding areas