Community Highlights: Meet Breanne Wiggins of Breanne’s Bed & Biscuits

Today we’d like to introduce you to Breanne Wiggins.

Hi Breanne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve known that I wanted to work with animals since I was a toddler. As I got a little older, I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, but discovered that I enjoyed care-taking more than the medicine side of things.

I ended up working as a veterinary assistant while I finished my degree in Biology. After that, I was a zookeeper & exotic animal trainer for about 10 years – it truly was my dream job, & I feel so fortunate that I got to live that dream for so many years. I am still passionate about conservation, as well as educating the public about the importance of zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, etc.

When COVID shut the world down in early 2020, my husband & I decided that I would soon become a stay-at-home mom. My daughter was about to enter kindergarten, & my son was about to go into second grade, & I couldn’t imagine them trying to navigate school on a computer screen. I ended up stepping away from my zookeeping career in the summer of 2020.

Over the next couple of years, I enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom & the freedom I had to spend with my kids – especially being able to attend school field trips & other school functions. But I also terribly missed zookeeping (and being around animals in general). I am particularly passionate about positive reinforcement training & how you can apply it to virtually every species of animal.

During the summer of 2022, my husband & my brother-in-law helped me come up with the main focus of my current business – boarding dogs in our home. I officially began the business in July 2022. We have dogs come live with us when their humans are away. Dogs get to live at our house, doing whatever they would normally do at their own houses. We treat them like they are our own. We came up with the idea when we were chatting about how negatively our own dog responded to staying in a boarding facility with kennels. Some dogs do really well in that type of environment, but others do not. And we wanted to be a solution for those dogs that prefer a home environment.

Shortly after beginning the business, I also started offering training services in people’s homes for their dogs. I show dog parents how to use positive reinforcement methods to train their dogs & develop better relationships with each other.

I recently realized that a lot of dog humans need help providing their dogs with mental stimulation – that mental exercise can actually be more tiring than physical exercise. So I recently launched a subscription box that provides households with enrichment items for their dogs, as well as a guide with ideas on different ways to use the enrichment each time. I’m really excited to start getting these boxes into households!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, definitely not! It took me FOREVER (10 years?) to complete my bachelor’s degree in Biology. I went to college for two years after high school, but then dropped out. When I started working on my degree again, six years had passed since I dropped out, & I was also working full time. Then I got married & had two kids all while trying to finish my degree. But I wanted it bad because, at the time, the zoo I wanted to work for required a bachelor’s degree.

All while I was working, going to school, & starting a family, I was also finding ways to volunteer or intern at any zoo, aquarium, or other similar facility that would have me. Those internships led me to my first zookeeping jobs, & then I was finally able to work at the zoo once I finished my degree. Animal internships back then were often unpaid, VERY competitive to be accepted for, & often required a large time commitment. It’s hard to work for free anytime, & especially when you have a family to care for.

When I started the dog business, I still lived in Virginia, where I knew tons of people in the animal industry from zookeeping, as well as from being a vet assistant. I grew my business there rather quickly, due to word of mouth & recommendations from my friends & colleagues.

My family & I moved to Denver in June 2023, where I knew virtually no one. Getting the momentum going once we got here was tough. Marketing is hard work, & I don’t consider myself very good at it. While building a client base here in Denver was slow going at first, I feel very fortunate now.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At its core, my business is about providing thoughtful, enrichment-based care for dogs. We’re not just a place for dogs to stay — we’re a structured, safe, & engaging environment designed to support their emotional & mental well-being.

In addition to boarding, I offer pet taxi services (drop-off & pick up), in-your-home training, & dog enrichment boxes. I feel like this allows me to support dogs & their families in a well-rounded way. What sets us apart is our focus on enrichment & intentional care. Every dog is treated as an individual with unique needs, energy levels, & personalities.

I’m especially proud of the calm, structured environment we’ve built. We prioritize mental stimulation, appropriate socialization, & predictable routines so dogs leave tired, but also fulfilled & mentally balanced.

My goal is to be more than just another service — I aim to be a trusted partner & true family member for people who want the best for their dogs. I care deeply about doing things thoughtfully. I thrive being able to create better moments between dogs & their humans.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
A commitment to continuous learning has been the key to my success. The dog industry is always evolving, & I believe it’s my responsibility to stay educated & thoughtful about the care & services I provide. Investing in learning allows me to offer better enrichment, safer environments, & stronger support for the families who trust us with their dogs. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Dogs are individuals, & so are their families.

Pricing:

• Dog Enrichment Boxes start at $35 (1 box every 2 months)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.breannesbandb.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breannewiggins7/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/breannesbandb
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreannesBedAndBiscuits
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@breannes.bed.biscu

Image Credits
Rat Dog Media (Shania Greenwood)
And me, Breanne Wiggins