Success Stories

The Wag Resort

Heather and Robert Lindberg

“The entire experience felt like a Cinderella story,” said Robert. “We achieved top dollar for our business and real estate, and it sold within a week. Teija and her team truly made it magical.”  Robert and Heather Lindberg, former owners of the Wag Resort

The Wag Resort: A Cinderella Story of Growth, Transition, and Success

The Wag Resort, nestled in Grand Junction, Colorado, was brought to life by Teija Heikkilä, CEO of PET|VET, who designed and built the facility in 2014. Over the years, Teija transformed it into a premier, two-location pet resort serving the Western Colorado region. In 2022, after years of growth and success, Teija entrusted the facility to long-time friends and experienced pet care professionals, Heather and Robert Lindberg.

The Lindbergs, veterans of the AKC dog show circuit and owners of multiple pet resorts across California, Colorado, Florida, and North Carolina, were the perfect match to continue the Wag Resort’s legacy. With their deep industry knowledge and passion for pet care, they expanded the resort into a thriving haven offering boarding, daycare, grooming, and training services — all with a capacity to accommodate over 150 dogs.

“We’ve always loved managing our businesses, from hands-on beginnings to stepping into leadership roles supporting talented teams like the one at The Wag,” said Heather Lindberg. “Providing a much-needed service to the community was deeply rewarding.”

Initially, the Lindbergs planned to run the Wag Resort for at least a decade. However, personal challenges and conversations with Teija, who had brokered 6 successful pet care facility deals for them in the past, led them to reconsider their timeline.

“Our plan was to continue for another 10 years, but we reached our financial goals far sooner than expected,” said Robert Lindberg. “Selling made perfect sense at that point.”

Navigating the Sale

Teija and the PET|VET team quickly got to work, crafting a seamless deal that matched the Lindbergs with the ideal buyer. Every detail was managed meticulously, ensuring the transition upheld the values and culture of the Wag Resort.

“The private equity firm that purchased the resort was deeply concerned about preserving our staff and the culture we had built,” said Robert. “It was reassuring to know that both the business and our customers were in good hands.”

For the Lindbergs, the experience was nothing short of a fairy tale. Within a week of listing, the Wag Resort sold at a price that exceeded their expectations.

“It was shocking – we’ve seen friends and colleagues across the country struggle to sell their facilities, often waiting over a year,” said Robert. “Teija and her team brought unparalleled expertise and made the process effortless.”

Expert Guidance from PET|VET

Working with PET|VET enabled the Lindbergs to walk away from the sale of their business satisfied financially and professionally. The sale not only brought financial and professional satisfaction to the Lindbergs but also ensured a brighter future for the Wag Resort and its team.

“At the end of the day, the buyers could offer more opportunities for the resort and our staff than we could,” Heather shared. “Knowing our team was well taken care of made all the difference.”

With the sale finalized, Heather and Robert are now exploring their next steps. Passionate about the pet care industry, they are on the lookout for new opportunities to make an impact.

For the Lindbergs, the journey with PET|VET was nothing short of extraordinary.