A note from Bruce & Michelle 

    Thank you for your continued support and business, we truly appreciate it.  Running a boarding kennel is not only a job, it is a way of life.  Each and every day we strive to not only meet every client and guest's needs, but to exceed them.  We believe, that the greatest gift an owner can give their dog or cat, is their own special vacation at Add-En-On.  It is a vacation resort for pets who like to get "spoiled".



A little background on Bruce W. Coates:

    Bruce is the grandson of Dr. Carl T. Harris and Grace Peck Harris.  Bruce officially came back to work in 1974.  Bruce continued in the spirit of his relatives and kept "adding on".  In 1984 he purchased the business from his mother, Elizabeth Harris Coates.  In 1991, Bruce added a 10,000 square foot building, which is currently where our front office is today.  The entire upstairs portion of this building is dedicated to a training room.  Within one year of the completion of this building, Add-En-On was holding 20 obedience classes per week, holding Agility and Flyball competitions and hosting numerous dog shows, seminars and kennel club events.

     The American Boarding Kennels Association (ABKA), which is now Pet Care Services Association, was established as a non-profit organization to set a standard for kennels all over the world.  With the beliefs set forth, the kennel industry went from a hobby to a well respected profession.  Add-En-On became a charter member of ABKA, and Bruce ran for Regional Director on the first ballot. Bruce has served 6 years on the Board of Directors, one term as Secretary and one term as Vice President, finally leaving to spend more time with his daughter.  Bruce has completed the classes offered through the organization achieving him the title of a Certified Kennel Operator (CKO).

    Today, 2009, Bruce is actively part of the day-to-day operations at Add-En-On.  Most days he can be found keeping busy and finding new ways to improve Add-En-On, the buildings and grounds.  He actively monitors the business, the number of animals, the staff and how the present day economy effects Add-En-On.  Bruce can remember the days long ago as a child, when the family put their own dogs into the kennel, just so they did not have to "close" Add-En-On's doors.  Bruce had often hoped that his daughter, Alissa, would follow in his footsteps. During Jr. High and High school, Alissa worked side by side with her father, sharing his love of Add-En-On and the dogs.  Although Alissa's career path has taken her away from Add-En-On, it still holds a very dear spot in her heart, just as it does with Bruce.  Alissa is pursuing a career in music education at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.


A little background on Michelle C. Hargrave

    Michelle came to Add-En-On in 1992.  Michelle has loved animals since she was a little girl.  In the spring of 1992, she left an office job with a large computer company in the city to work at Add-En-On Kennels.  Michelle learned everything she could, working in every area of the kennel, doing every job. Michelle started touring other kennels across the country with Bruce and attending classes offered through ABKA, (now Pet Care Services Association) just as Bruce had.  Before long, Michelle and Bruce were working side by side, with Michelle running the day to day operations as the manager.  Today, 17 years later, Michelle is still currently the acting manager at Add-En-On.  Michelle can be found most days in the office greeting clients and solving problems.


    Michelle and Bruce live in Bristol, (on top of Bristol Mountain if you are a skier) with 25 acres and three ponds.  Their love of animals has followed them home.  They have a golden retriever named "Jackson" and three cats named "Tommy", "Jetta", and "Squeeker".  They also have 11 pet chickens, two rabbits, 3 fish, and of course we can't forget "Gracie Lou", the rose breasted cockatoo that travels back and forth to work every day with Bruce and Michelle.  You may meet her most days in the reception office at the kennel. In their free time, they like to read, watch movies, garden, go fishing and love to travel!  Bruce and Michelle just returned from a trip to Greece, Turkey and Egypt.  Below is a picture of Bruce riding a camel in the desert while visiting the Pyramids in Egypt.





    Again, both Michelle and Bruce would like to thank all of our clients, both new and old.  We appreciate your continued business and will continue to do everything possible to keep Add-En-On a safe, fun and happy place for your pets to go on vacation!


                            Bruce & Michelle