Jessica McCann and her husband, Mark, bought Central Bark doggy day care in January 2009. There are 19 franchised Central Bark locations in Wisconsin, and the McCanns own the franchise in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley, 333 N. 25th St.

Central Bark offers day care, a dog salon, training, "sleepovers," a boutique, veterinary services and more.

OnMilwaukee.com recently checked in with McCann to find out how business was going and what it’s like to care for dozens of dogs everyday. (Spoiler alert: it's noisy.)

OnMilwaukeee.com: So how is business?

Jessica McCann: Business is pretty good. When we first bought this location our numbers dropped due to the recession, but that forced us to be creative with marketing and also required us to work many more hours than expected; however, we have really seen an upswing from all those efforts.

OMC: What is exciting about owning a doggy day care?

JM: I can't say there is just one thing that is the most exciting about owning this business. There are so many interesting people come through my door each day and they all share a great love for dogs and that makes me so happy each day. I love hearing about their lives, silly things their dogs did and knowing that they really love bringing their dogs to my daycare.

OMC: What is the most challenging about your business?

JM: There are great days and bad days, just like any other job. If anything has been challenged it’s probably my hearing (with) 60 barking dogs a day. It really challenges your ear drums.

OMC: Have you ever been bitten by a dog while on the job?

JM: I have never been bitten by a dog ever, mainly due to the fact that all dogs are evaluated before entering our day care program. We also learn how to work with dogs when in situations where they might bite and avoid putting the dogs and ourselves in situations when this might happen.

OMC: How much does it cost to send a dog to your day care?

JM: Our daily rate for day care is $21.50 for one dog, $39.75 for two dogs. There is a 15 percent discount on a second dog.

OMC: Why should someone bring their dog to day care, as opposed to just letting him or her chill out at home?

JM: Socialization and exercise are the primary reasons to bring your dog to daycare. These are two simple things that dogs really need: to play and to play with other dogs. When families are so busy with life a lot of times those two necessary elements of a dog's life get overlooked.

OMC: What other groups are you affiliated with?

JM: I am also very involved with various dog rescues and shelters. My Central Bark has hosted adoption events for the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC), been a foster home for several dogs from various rescues and I also encourage my employees and customers to be involved in rescue work at any level.

I will allow free daycare to foster dogs from MADACC on Mondays and any customers who fosters through MADACC can bring their foster dogs for free on the days that they bring their dogs to day care. My employees love working with the foster dogs who live at Central Bark. They will take them for walks on their days off, help them find homes and just give them the extra attention they so need.