Vincent Eufemia, a Queensnative who settled in Boise in the mid-1990s, spent years traveling and working long hours as a computer consultant. He was disappointed with the doggie day cares and kennels available for his own Labrador, Cassady.

So he and his wife, Teresa, opened their own business, Emerald Street Kennels, last spring. The kennel offers doggie day care, cat and dog boarding, pet self-wash tubs, grooming, training and a retail section with dog toys, clothing and training tools.

Eufemia, a self-employed computer programmer, says he used personal funds and received financial support from family and friends to launch the business.

Q: What makes your business unique?

A: Emerald Street Kennels is the only facility in the Treasure Valley that was built explicitly for the sole purpose of providing dog day care, pet boarding, grooming, retail and dog training. In addition, I have hired primarily Brown Mackie College vet-tech students, Boise State University pre-veterinary students and 4-H-trained dog handlers.

Q: What challenges have you faced, and how have you met them?

A: We started this process in 2008, immediately prior to the economic downturn and the evaporation of business lending and small-business lending prospects. Now, four years later, we are extremely excited to be opening.

Q: What do you hope to achieve in the next three to five years?

A: Provide the Treasure Valley with the best pet care and service available at reasonable costs, and assist the Idaho Humane Society when they are in need of additional space for foster animals.

Audrey Dutton: 377-6448