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Bruce is my 5-year-old GSD. I adopted him in Hyderabad when he was 7 months old. He had been abandoned by his first family because he was very hyper and apparently the children were getting distracted from their studies! We moved to Gurgaon in 2021 – lock, stock, and dog!! Then came Covid and lockdown. Imagine trying to keep a GSD pup indoors and engaged 24/7. It resulted in several escapades of wriggling out of the harness and going for a spin around the complex with us and security guards in pursuit. Alas, it was a lost battle as Bruce is very agile and can run at the speed of light.  We really needed a solution to give him the exercise he needed.  Rock and Pebbles Dog Park and School and Vandana came into our lives as our saviors! I remember the first day we took him to the huge 2-acre property with no cages or boundaries for our fur babies!  Bruce was taken off leash immediately and he ran to his heart’s content. This was the only Dog School I know where our fur babies ruled the roost, played, peed and pooed wherever they felt like.  What really stands out about RnP is the fact that each pup has the space to express themselves the way they like – God knows they have minds and personalities of their own! While Bruce was reserved for the first few months of his time at RnP, the team patiently gave him the space he needed but ensured that he was loved and taken care of. The ‘no-ladai’ chant worked and the doggos learnt to co-exist like good friends and siblings with the occasional sparring. Bruce stopped wriggling out of his harness on his walks as he started going to RnP regularly. Vandana and team made sure he got adequate exercise, and it was a boon during covid times as we too could enjoy being in the open space along with maintaining social distance.  Bruce started enjoying the swimming pool and would jump the fence and enter the swimming pool enclosure at will. That became his Zen Zone. Its been 4 years now that Bruce is a regular at RnP. We board him there too whenever we are travelling, secure in the knowledge that he will be looked after just as though he was home. Bruce continues to be as  ‘hyper’ as when he was a puppy. RnP taught him to be a social doggo and also do away with the stigma attached to GSDs. He is known as the CLO – Chief Licking Officer as he will jump up and lick your face and give kisses on demand which was always encouraged by Vandana and team. He enjoys the off-leash treks with boiled eggs and treats especially for the doggos. RnP has helped Bruce and us develop a sense of community and foster some deep friendships. Moushumi, Mom

As a first time pet parent in 2021, I was excited and overwhelmed at the responsibility I had taken on when I adopted a senior Labrador and a spitz puppy at the same time. Little did I know the transformation these loving beings would bring in my life. One lazy Sunday morning, I decided to google pet friendly cafes to spend a lovely winter morning and chanced upon Rocks and Pebbles. The minute I stepped in, I was transported into a space where dogs are respected, loved and cared for like family. What also impressed me was the discipline with which the park is maintained. It is clean and hygienic for dogs and humans. This was the first time I saw my spitz run with carefree abandon and my Labrador take a peaceful stroll as he enjoyed the winter morning smells. Over the past 2 years, R&P has become my family and support system. R&P has fostered a community that includes, seeks help and offers support generously. The community celebrates responsibly and festivals like Diwali are made inclusive for everyone. R&P has also helped me and my canines reconnect with nature through the various treks. The various talks by canine specialists have also helped me empathise with my pets and work with them. While my pets are lovingly spoiled at R&P, they also receive invaluable socialisation in a disciplined manner. Regularly going to the park helped my Labrador age in reverse, gain agility he had lost and fend off his arthritis and hip dysplasia significantly. My spitz, an anxious dog, is now learning to trust humans and dogs and be less reactive. She’s even learning to play with other dogs, something she never did till the age of 2! The patient perseverance of the staff at R&P demonstrates everyday benefits not just to the dogs but also to their human families. R&P is also home away from home for the pets. One never has to think for an instant before planning outings or events. With R&P, I was always sure that Moose and Spring are getting as much tender, loving care as at home. Our journey with R&P is only beginning. It has not only benefited Moose and Spring, but has also made me confident to volunteer at the local shelter for dogs. I am able to use the learning I have received with R&P to train and help dogs at the shelter find forever homes. In this sense, R&P’s impact is way more than what is apparent on its students.

Roxy is a large sized Himalayan sheep dog. Naturally she’s highly spirited and needs lots of open outdoors to exercise her long limbs.  Roxy was a covid baby so her first year was spent in our community dog park where there were challenges of being leash free or running on the road etc.  I heard about Rocks & Pebbles (RnP) through a friend. Roxy was about a year and a half when she started there. At first sight, I fell in love with RnP. It’s large, open green spaces with shaded areas for rest , cool rooms for stay and the sight of other dogs running around without leash inside solid safe fencing were a gift godsent for my Roxy.  The owner, Vandana Sinha, came across as a very compassionate, understanding animal lover trying to do her best for the pooches with a well trained dedicated staff. It set me dreaming about using the boarding facilities of such an establishment when need arose ( I was not able to travel without my dogs before this ) and the best part was the pickup and drop facility provided by the school. The fact that my beloved Roxy would be going to school was a thrill by itself. The swimming pool was an added bonus as it’s the perfect exercise for dogs. The charges were also reasonable and fair. Since then Roxy has been a permanent student at the school.  The biggest benefit of sending Roxy to RnP has been the socialisation aspect of school. Making friends, getting along with other dogs, eating with them , playing , sleeping, travelling together , all under supervision and moderate behaviour modification as required, has played a huge role in Roxy being a relaxed, fit and friendly dog. She specially enjoys going on treks with her friends and family, organised by the school. Her food needs are also well taken care of by the school.  I’m not worried about her when she’s at school because they have a good vet on call in case medical intervention is needed.  Roxy’s birthday celebrations at RnP are made so special with a party atmosphere set up by the school and all the dogs have so much fun. Finally, Roxy has started to enjoy her own birthday cake too.  Over the years, RnP has become Roxy’s home away from home.  Parul Kala, Mom Gurgaon 

We have 2 indie dogs a 3.5 year old male named Spud and a 4.5 year old female named Jinjoo. Spud has been with us since 2020 ( a covid baby) and Jinjoo since 2021. We actually found her at RnP. Spud has been going to Rocks and Pebbles since 2021. Being a COVID baby we were not able to socialise him much with other dogs. We were not sure of taking him to a dog park and our experience with another park was not very encouraging. I heard about Vandana's park through the IIM network and approached her with some hope and lots of trepidation. I recall giving her a long account of how Spud may not get along with other dogs and we just wanted a small corner for him where he can run. I remember her words, "please bring him, we will find him a corner". I think one of the best decisions we made for Spud! It has been nearly 4 years and Spud goes to the park regularly. What I love about the park is that any new fur baby is observed and eased into interacting with other pets. There is no one size that fits all approach. The staff are very polite but more importantly genuinely friends with the pets. In fact, I do not think that Spud's tail wags as much as for anyone as for his bhaiyyas from the park. Pets are treated as individuals and their behaviours and quirks are graciously accomodated. The park offers a large space with thoughtful and adequate divisions for letting different fur babies have their space in case they do not want to interact with other pets. Spud definitely found his corner and how! Coming to Jinjoo, as I mentioned, we found her at RnP. Abandoned and lost, a pregnant and scared Jinjoo landed at RnP through another pet parent. She was looked after with great care and love and gave birth to 3 healthy pups who all found forever homes through RnP. RnP also helped to look for a home for Jinjoo and this gentle soul ended with us. Again, it is extremely commendable that there is a lot of effort and due diligence put in to ensure that the fur babies find suitable and decent homes. We have also fallen back on RnP to foster a few other dogs who have well looked after and showered with love.  Apart from all that I have mentioned, a big factor orf comfort is the openness and transparency displayed by Vandana and the rest of the team. There is never an attempt to hide anything that has gone wrong. It is immediately owned up and remedial measures put in place immediately. There is also a constant effort to enrich the experience for the pets. It could be treks, new attractions at the park, devising new games or just dotting the park with colorful objects for the furries to explore. Health is taken seriously with diets being customised

So, we brought home this little doggo, Mr. Peanut, thinking he'd bring us some peace and relieve our stress. But boy, were we wrong! Turns out, taking care of a pet is way harder than raising a baby. This little beagle boy demands constant attention and wants to play all the time. But I gotta say, even though he's a handful, he sure knows how to show his love and affection.    So, we figured we had to do something to help him release his energy. We tried long walks, hired a dog trainer, and checked out different boarding centers, but Peanut didn't seem interested and sometimes even looked unhappy. Then, one day, someone recommended Rock and Pebbles to us. It was a 30-minute drive from our school, but we were willing to do anything to make Peanut happy. We took him for a trial, and he absolutely loved it! They have a huge space, which is exactly what Peanut needs. Our only concern was how he would be cared for, but after meeting Vandana and her team, we realized that wouldn't be a problem. Everyone at the dog park, from the owner to the helpers, loved dogs and treated them like little kids.    Approximately two and a half years have passed since we initially began occasional night boarding for Peanut. Now, he attends their school system on a daily basis. This demonstrates the profound affection that Peanut and our entire family have for Rock and Pebbles. Occasionally, we attempt to keep Peanut exclusively for ourselves and provide him with a day off. On such days, he retrieves his leash and clothing, insisting that we take him to school.    We started to board peanut just because me and my wife's jobs are demanding and require a lot of travel in my case, Rock and pebbles soon turned out to be the best decision ever. The memories of Peanut going there for his first day, from him celebrating holi there and not wanting to return home, to us celebrating his bday there every time, makes us feel blessed to have Rock and Pebbles with us.   Thank you Vandana, Aparna and the entire Team for this amazing journey and of course it's just the beginning. Cheers, Sushant (Peanut's dad)

Tucker is my first pet. He came into life pretty suddenly. My kid, then 11, howled, cried, begged me to get a dog with a promise that he will take care of him in every sense. I had to give in. Almost a month half, Tucker chose me , when we went to meet him. no matter how hard my husband and my son tried to hold him he kept coming to me. That was our first interaction. The first few months were like being pushed in a pool, and you dont know how to swim asking to swim.. Staying in a flat, with so many rules to be followed, I felt so guilty of keeping this little furball indoors..and thats when the magic happened … somebody referred RNP to me, I think Tucker was just 4 or 5 months then and so was RNP…I think… fairly new… I wish I could share that video, when Tucker got that huge field to run..he went crazy… There was no looking back… I would have loved to say that RNP is second home to Tucker , but it's the other way round.Tucker loves to be in RNP. The biggest advantage ofcourse is socializing with other kids, making friends, and ofcourse the much needed excercise..running and playing. The love and care he gets in RNP is hard to pen down. I am glad to be a part of RNP family which has made Tuckers life so joyful and super fun. Vandana has extreme love for the four legged kids, compassionate, honest and loving. It's always them for her first and I totally love this. She is my go to person, Like 24×7 helpline for every query, every support and everything I need for Tucker. We love RNP Smriti - Tucker's Mom