Woof woof! Take an inside look into this “hotel for dogs” in Our Town Forsyth

FORSYTH, Ill. (WCIA) — There’s nothing better than taking a trip and getting away for a night or two. While we humans may love to travel, pups deserve a bit of pampering too.

In Our Town Forsyth, Briggs Republic is proving to be a “hotel for dogs,” whether it’s for a few hours or a few days. A doggy daycare space has always been the dream of Ryan O’Connor, who owns Briggs alongside his wife, Shannon.

They opened in August of 2023 for daycare, boarding and grooming. In fact, it was all put together through the eyes of their own dog, Briggs.

“He was our first child, he’s 13 years old now and Briggs Republic is how we think Briggs would set up a daycare and boarding facility,” Shannon said. “This is his government if you will and how he would run things.”

The dogs go through rotational activities similar to preschool classes.

“We’re on doggy duty all day long and all night long just to kind of ease up the needs of those in the community,” Shannon said.

Plus, it’s in the same town Shannon has called home her entire life.

“People came when they did not need us,” she said. “…Just to keep us in business and keep us open those first few months to keep us going.”

From their first resident pups one year ago, to where they are today, Briggs Republic has broken records each step of the way. One week in July, they housed their highest number of dogs yet and had a wait list running every day.

Shannon and Ryan are working to add more space and doggy suites by September. Many of the dogs they see on a daily basis come from Forsyth, but also from surrounding areas while people make their way to work in Macon County.

If you want to check it out, visit their website and social media pages .

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