Since opening in 2020, Millin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding has proven than a love for dogs can be strong enough to overcome even the toughest challenges. Now hailed as one of the top facilities to care for dogs in Southwest Wales, getting to this point didn't come without a few hurdles along the way.
When police officer Sian Smith relocated her young family from the city of Cardiff to rural Pembrokeshire in 2017, the move was driven by a simple goal: a better quality of life and a safer, slower-paced upbringing for their two boys.
What followed was not just a lifestyle change, but the beginning of a remarkable family-run business that would go on to become one of the most celebrated luxury dog boarding retreats in the UK.
Always passionate about dogs, Sian and her husband Dave saw an opportunity when they settled onto their 10-acre smallholding. At the time, both were serving police officers in South Wales—Sian as a Mounted Police Officer and Dave as a Police Dog Handler—working demanding frontline roles while raising a young family with no nearby support network.
They quickly became “passing ships,” working opposite shifts to manage childcare. That same arrangement, however, became the foundation of their first business idea: home boarding for dogs, where there was always someone home to provide care, attention, and companionship.
Still working day jobs, they alternated shifts so someone was always home with the dogs and their kids. Demand for home boarding was high, and they were fully booked their first summer.
The instant booking rush confirming what Sian and Dave already suspected: There was a clear gap in the market for pet parents who cherished their dogs as family and didn’t feel comfortable leaving them in a traditional kennel environment.
As the business grew, so did their vision.
After 20 years of police service, Sian retired and turned her full attention to the dream she and Dave shared: creating a true “dog-staycation” destination. In 2019, the couple secured planning permission for what would become Millin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding—a five-star country retreat for dogs, designed to combine safety, comfort, enrichment, and peace of mind for owners.
The timing, unfortunately, couldn’t have been more challenging.
After 20 years of police service, Sian retired. She and her husband's dreams to expand their dog boarding business grew. The couple obtained planning permission in 2019 for their dream country retreat for dogs. They were scheduled to open in April 2020.
Unfortunately, almost at the point of completion, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and lockdown commenced in March 2020. All their bookings for spring and summer 2020 were canceled overnight. As a brand-new business, Millin Brook did not qualify for government financial support, placing enormous strain on the family just as they were about to launch.
Despite the setback, they persevered.
When restrictions eased, the finishing touches were completed, and Millin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding officially opened in September 2020.
From day one, it was clear this was no ordinary boarding facility. The retreat features spacious, glass-fronted luxury suites named after Pembrokeshire beaches, each with separate sleeping and run areas, automatic water drinkers, thermostatically controlled central heating, and CCTV linked directly to the family’s on-site home. An integrated sound system runs throughout the corridors, providing calming music to help guests relax.
The retreat has welcomed hundreds of happy canine guests, and has earned some of the most prestigious accolades in the pet industry. Millin Brook was named Kennel of the Year at the Pet Industry Federation Awards in both 2022 and 2024, and also received Business Service of the Year 2024 at the PetQuip Awards, held alongside the PATS trade show.
Behind the scenes, running a multi-award-winning luxury boarding retreat requires just as much organization as passion. As the business expanded, managing bookings, client records, vaccinations, and day-to-day operations on paper quickly became unsustainable.
While some people retire to relax and take time to themselves, Sian has done the exact opposite. Her hard work, passion and dedication to her business are inspiring. And, she has Revelation Pets to help her stay organized and run her business efficiently.
Revelation Pets has become central to how Sian runs Millin Brook efficiently and professionally. The cloud-based system allows her to manage the business from anywhere—on a tablet, laptop, or smartphone—without installing any software.
"I really can't manage living without Revelation Pets now, especially since we expanded the business," Sian said. "I don't know how we used to manage with just a paper diary and records. Revelation Pets really has been a game-changer."
The Customer Portal has transformed the client experience, giving pet parents the ability to check availability, self-register, upload vaccination records, schedule recurring appointments, purchase daycare credits, and pay outstanding invoices online. During their dog’s stay, owners can even view their pet, offering invaluable peace of mind.
Operationally, Revelation Pets supports what matters most to Millin Brook: safety, communication, and exceptional care. Tracking behavior is simplified, so each dog can receive the personalized care they need.
"It’s great to refer back to previous bookings to check on any issues with dogs," Sian said.
Vaccination records and automated reminders help ensure no unvaccinated dogs board at the retreat, while detailed booking histories make it easy to track behavior notes and special requirements.
"The vaccination data and reminders are vitally important to us and ensure we don't have any unvaccinated dogs board with us," Sian said. "The newly updated system that sends expiry reminders to owners is invaluable!"
Color-coding pets and owners adds an extra layer of clarity for the team, helping them quickly identify important information at a glance.
"I know that 'red' is a warning and that 'purple' is an unneutered/unspayed dog," she said.
While many people slow down after retiring from a long career, Sian has done the opposite—building, refining, and continually investing in her business. In 2023, Millin Brook completed the finishing touches to its five-star retreat with a new gated driveway for added security and an even more impressive arrival experience.
In 2024, Dave officially joined the business full-time after his own 20-year police career, making Millin Brook truly and fully family-run. Their sons, Ben and Jacob, also take an active interest, helping out with guests during school holidays and weekends.
Today, Millin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding stands as a shining example of what’s possible when passion, resilience, and the right technology come together. Nestled in the heart of Pembrokeshire and just minutes from Haverfordwest and Bluestone Resort, the retreat offers bespoke holidays for dogs—and complete peace of mind for their owners.
With Revelation Pets supporting the day-to-day operations, Sian and her family can focus on what they do best: ensuring every dog enjoys a safe, happy, five-star holiday of their own.
Want pet business software that eases the workload so you can focus on what matters most? Try Revelation Pets free for 14 days!