The votes are in! We asked you to choose your very favorites in the pet world, from the groomer who makes your canine look like a million dollar dog to the cat toy that drives your feline wild. We’re proud to present your favorites and shine the spotlight on some of the Phoenix area's very best.

Best Pet Supply Store

Marcia Zuber
Bark Ave Pet Supply
3109 E McKellips Rd, Mesa
(480) 832-2510 • BarkAvePetSupply.com

How does it feel to be a Readers’ Choice Award winner for Best Pet Supply Store?
We feel gratified that our customers appreciate us and have honored us with this vote of confidence. All of the staff at Bark Ave Pet Supply believe in the store by selling healthy diets and great products to our customers. From the start we always felt it important to reward our customers.

How long have you been in business?
Bark Avenue Pet Supply has been in business for almost three years.

What is your favorite part of the job?
There are several favorites that come to mind [including] helping customers find healthy food for their pet, seeing positive changes with pets after simple nutrition improvement, and trying to find new and interesting products to offer our educated customer.

Any crazy stories to share?
We have a store bird, Lucy, a Military Macaw, who often comes off her perch to shop with customers. She truly loves riding on the shopping cart.

How do think your industry has changed over the years?
Actually, I think the customer has become more educated and demanded healthier foods for their pets. Many brands of foods were developed with this in mind. Now you see many other companies playing catch up to meet the customers’ demands, especially after the pet food recall.
–Renee Krejci

Best Vet Practice

Winner

Pima North Animal Hospital
8864 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Scottsdale
(480) 563-5432 • PimaNorth.com

Runners-up (tie)

Dobson Ranch Animal Hospital
2917 S Dobson Rd, Mesa
(408) 838-2503 • DobsonRanchAH.com

Horizon Animal Hospital
14150 N 100th St, Scottsdale
(480) 614-9500 • HorizonAnimalHospital.com

Other Favorites

Aberdeen Animal Hospital
Blue Cross Veterinary Clinic
Central Phoenix Animal Hospital

Best Vet

Winner

Dr. Karen Lyons
Desert Mobile Vet
(480) 497-6362

Runner-up

Dr. Alicia Ruiz
Central Phoenix Animal Hospital
25 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix
(602) 277-5155

Other Favorites

Dr. Beth Hareski/Horizon Animal Hospital
Dr. Stan Howard/Tatum Point Animal Hospital
Dr. Bonnie Walker/Pima North Animal Hospital

Best Holistic Vet/Practice

Winner

Dr. Betsy King
Aberdeen Animal Hospital
3109 East McKellips, Mesa
(480) 834-4244

Runner-up

Dr. Karen Lyons
Desert Mobile Vet
(480) 497-6362

Best Cat Food

Winner

California Natural
(800) 532-7261 • NaturaPet.com

Runner-up

Innova Evo
(800) 532-7261 • NaturaPet.com

Other Favorites

Felidae
Nutro Natural
Wellness

Best Cat Treats

Winner

Whisker Lickins
(800) 778-7462 • WhiskerLickins.com

Runner-Up

Catswell
(888) 559-8833 • Catswell.com

Other Favorites

Pounce
Whiskas
Whole Life

Best Cat Toy

Winner

Cat teaser

Runner-up

Mouse toy

Other Favorites

Catnip
Laser pointer

Best Dog Park

Tami Ryall, Co-Designer
Cosmo Park
2502 E Ray Rd, Gilbert
(480) 503-6200

How did you feel when you found out Cosmo Park was the Readers’ Choice winner for best dog park?
I felt very proud. I am very fortunate to be in a position to help provide an amenity that is used, loved, and appreciated by so many people on a daily basis. It’s all very heartwarming, especially when I drive by and see so many dogs running around and enjoying the park.

How long have you been in your profession?
I have worked for the Town of Gilbert for 10 years. Before that I worked for government at the state level.

What drew you to it?
The opportunity to help people. Working in municipal government means you have a great chance to influence people’s lives in a very positive and direct way. Local government is really the layer of government that reaches and influences the most people on a regular basis, whether it is picking up their garbage cans every week, providing public safety services, or building a park where they can take their family. When I go to Cosmo Park, I see how excited the dogs and the people are, and it is incredibly rewarding.

Do you have any pets at home?
Yes, I have a cat and two dogs, one of which is deaf. One of my favorite parts of the day is coming home after work and seeing how excited they are to see me. That’s one of the great things about dogs: they are always happy to see you, no matter what.

Any crazy stories to share?
Maybe the craziest thing I’ve seen in a long time was when more than 5,000 people and their pooches turned out for the grand opening of Cosmo Park. To see such an incredible response from people made me realize that we absolutely made the right decision in building a dog park in Gilbert.–RK

Best Dog Park

Winner

Cosmo Dog Park
2502 E Ray Rd, Gilbert
(480) 503-6200 • ci.Gilbert.az.us

Runner-up

Chaparral Park
5401 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale
(480) 312-WOOF • ScottsdaleAZ.gov

Other Favorites

Anthem Dog Park
Shawnee Park
Surprise Dog Park
West Chandler Park

Best Pet Photographer

Winner

Shelly Fields
5333 S Marigold Way, Gilbert
FieldOfDreamsPhotography.com

Best Overnight Boarding

Winner

Bark Avenue Pet Resort
3109 E McKellips Rd, Mesa
(480) 832-3631 • BarkAvePet.com

Runner-up

Pete & Mac’s
321 E Elliot Rd, Gilbert
(480) 633-3384 • PetMac.com

Other Favorites

Applewood Pet Resort
Boulder Falls Pet Resort & Dayspa
Christine’s K-9 Bed & Breakfast

Best Pet-Friendly Outdoor Café

Winner

In the Raw
8320 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale
(480) 443-4113 • RawsomeBar.com

Runner-up

Vintage Market
2501 E Baseline, Phoenix
(602) 276-4554 • VintageMarket.us

Other Favorite

Uncle Bear’s Grill & Bar

Best Dog Leash/Collar

Winner

Gentle Leader
(888) 640-8840 • GentleLeader.com

Runner-up

Mendota
(800) 224-1121 • MendotaProducts.com

Other Favorites

Martingale
Premier
Puppia

Best Pet Supply Store

Winner

Bark Avenue Pet Supply
3109 E McKellips Rd, #104, Mesa
(480) 832-2510 • BarkAvePetSupply.com

Runner-up

Petsmart
Various locations
Petsmart.com

Other Favorites

In the Raw
Ryan’s Pet Supply
Wag ‘n’ Wash

Best Groomer

Winners (tie)

Groomin-Tyme
512 W Bell Rd Ste #10, Phoenix
(602) 866-1566

Penny’s Pet Parlor
6554 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek
(480) 488-3280

Runner-up

Smelly Dog
5033 N 7th Ave, Phoenix
(602) 265-6806 • SmellyDogAZ.com

Other Favorites

Bark Avenue Pet Resort
Dobson Ranch

Best Pet-Friendly Bar

Winner

In the Raw
8320 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale
(480) 443-4113 • RawsomeBar.com

Runner-up

Salty Senorita
1860 S Stapley Dr, Mesa
(480) 632-TACO • SaltySenorita.com

Other Favorites

Greasewood Flats
The Monastery

Best Pet-Friendly Bar

Valerie Westrum
In The Raw
8320 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale
(480) 443-4113 • RawsomeBar.com

How does it feel to be a Readers’ Choice Award winner for Best Pet-Friendly Café and Bar?
Judy Westrum and I are thrilled and honored to be chosen as a Readers’ Choice Award winners. Our success is due largely to our customers, both human and canine. We would like to thank them all for this recognition of our efforts.

What drew you to your profession?
Judy and I are sisters-in-law. Owning a coffee shop had always been a secret dream of mine. One Christmas, Judy and I discovered that we shared the same dream. We both made plans to retire from our corporate lives and follow our dreams.

What is your favorite part of the job?
We really enjoy the people and of course the dogs. Working with the many animal rescue groups is also very rewarding. We try to help promote their cause and support them with events such as our annual canine Halloween bash.

Any crazy stories to share?
Catering canine birthday parties on the patio complete with canine hors d’oeuvres, frosted Mutt Muffins, Yappy Yogurt, party hats, and balloons is always fun. Hosting our annual canine Halloween bash brings 50 or more dogs in costume. Last year we had rock stars, Paris Hilton, Tigger, and biker dogs just to name a few.

Do you have any pets at home?
Judy has a Ridgeback mix named Sable. I have a Cocker Spaniel named Max and a Cocker Spaniel/Lhasa Apso mix named Chloe. Sable and Chloe are best friends and look forward to play days together.

How do think your industry has changed over the years?
It is very challenging for small, independent coffee shops to compete. We have tried to create a warm friendly environment based on great customer service combined with healthy treats and drinks both for you and your canine companion.–RK

Best Dog Training

Winner

Bark Busters Home Dog Training
(877) 500-BARK • BarkBusters.com

Runner-up

Petsmart
Various Locations
Petsmart.com

Other Favorites

Kokopelli Dog and Puppy Training, LLC
MLF Dog Sports
Puppy Prep School
Team Canine

Best Doggie Daycare

Winner

Smelly Dog
5033 N 7th Ave, Phoenix
(602) 265-6806 • SmellyDogAZ.com

Runner-up

The Paws Concierge
10640 N 32nd St, Phoenix
(602) 588-7833 • PawsConcierge.com

Other Favorites

Pete & Mac’s
Petsmart

Best Dog Toy

Winner

Kong
(303) 216-2626 • KongCompany.com

Runner-up

Squeaky toys

Other Favorites

Loofa Dogs
Tuffies

Best Dog Food

Winner

Canidae
(800) 398-1600 • Canidae.com

Runner-up

Solid Gold
(800) 364-4863 • SolidGoldHealth.com

Other Favorites

Eukanuba
Innova Evo
Purina Pro Plan

Best Dog Walking/Pet Sitting

Winner

Pampered Pets & Plants
(602) 547-1121 • PamperedPetsandPlants.com

Runners-up (tie)

One Lucky Pet
(480) 415-4597 • OneLuckyPet.com

Rex the Dog Walker
(602) 743-6044 • RexTheDogWalker.com

Best Dog Bakery

Winner

Three Dog Bakery
2442 E Camelback Rd #8, Phoenix
ThreeDog.com

Runner-up

In the Raw
8320 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale
(480) 443-4113 • RawsomeBar.com

Other Favorite

Bonnie’s Bakery

Best Dog Treats

Winner

Dogswell
(888) 559-8833 • Dogswell.com

Runner-up

Innova Evo
(800) 532-7261 • NaturaPet.com

Other Favorites

CET Chews
Mother Nature
Solid Gold

Best Place for Agility/Instruction

Winner

Best Friends Agility
26824 N 46th Pl, Cave Creek
BestFriendsAgility.net

Runner-up

MLF Dog Sports
20101 E Germann Rd, Queen Creek
(480) 987-9283
members.cox.net/mlfdogsports

Other Favorite

Partners Dog Training

* Tails Readers’ Choice Award entries and winners were reviewed and approved by the accounting firm of Chamlin and Associates.